Emily Carter
In 2015, rumours circulated that American companies were shipping chickens to China for processing before selling them in the US. This was a concern for US consumers, who worried about the sanitary conditions of the processing plants, the lack of country-of-origin labelling, and potential job losses. While the US-based company Tyson initially denied these claims, they later received approval to export poultry to China from all 36 of their US processing plants in 2019. This development came after Beijing lifted a five-year ban on imports, and it remains to be seen whether other companies will follow suit and begin shipping chicken to China for processing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Companies that ship chicken to China for processing | Tyson Foods Inc. |
| Year of approval | 2019 |
| Number of US processing plants | 36 |
| Chicken parts | Chicken feet, wing tips, and legs |
| Reason for shipping chicken to China for processing | Dark meat chicken is a delicacy in China |
| Criticisms | Consumers will not know the origin of the chicken |
| China's record of food safety issues | |
| Use of slave labor in China |
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What You'll Learn
Tyson Foods Inc. received approval to ship chicken to China
In 2019, Tyson Foods Inc. received approval from U.S. and Chinese authorities to export American poultry to China from all 36 of its U.S. processing plants. This approval came after Beijing lifted a nearly five-year ban on imports as Chinese consumers sought alternatives to pork. A deadly hog disease had killed millions of pigs, raising meat prices in the pork-loving country.
Tyson Foods' chief supply chain officer for poultry, Bernie Adcock, noted the high level of interest from Chinese buyers. He stated, "There's an extreme amount of interest across all those parts from multiple buyers in China." The approval is expected to increase U.S. agricultural exports to China as the two countries negotiate trade deals.
However, there have been concerns among American consumers about the safety of poultry processed in China. The absence of on-site USDA inspectors and the lack of country-of-origin labeling on Chinese poultry exports have raised questions about food safety. China's history of avian influenza outbreaks and slow reporting have also contributed to these concerns.
Previously, in 2015, there were rumors that Tyson Foods was sending chicken to China for processing and then returning it to the U.S. for sale. The company denied these claims, stating that all the chicken they sell in the U.S. is raised and processed in the country. Despite these rumors, Tyson Foods has now received approval to ship poultry to China, marking a shift in their operations.
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Poultry farmers' use of antibiotics
In 2015, it was rumoured that Tyson Foods was sending chicken to China for processing and then importing it back to the US for sale. However, the company denied these claims, stating that all the chicken they sell in the US is raised and processed domestically. In 2019, Tyson Foods received approval from US and Chinese authorities to export poultry to China from its US processing plants. This approval came after Beijing lifted a nearly five-year ban on imports, creating an opportunity for US agricultural exports to China.
The poultry industry has undergone significant changes since the 1950s, becoming highly intensive. Antibiotics, as feed additives, have played a crucial role in this transformation. Approximately 40% of antibiotics produced are used as feed additives, with an estimated 1 million kg allocated to the poultry industry. The use of antibiotics in feed has been a common practice in Europe since 1953, and the UK has monitored microbial resistance and conducted research in this area.
Farmers can obtain antibiotics in the form of balanced supplements and premixes from the feed-manufacturing industry. Additionally, antibiotics can be purchased from farm and veterinary supply centers and administered through drinking water, which is becoming more common in poultry production. While the discontinuance of low-level usage of certain antibiotics may have minimal impact on the poultry industry, eliminating higher levels would make it challenging to control bacterial diseases in young poultry.
There are alternatives to antibiotics that can help maintain animal health and yield while preserving the environment and consumer health. These include probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, organic acids, immunostimulants, and various feed additives. The chicken industry has been responsive to updated FDA guidelines regarding antibiotic treatment, voluntarily taking steps to reduce antibiotic use and finding alternative ways to control diseases.
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Food safety concerns
In 2013, the U.S. Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) conducted an equivalence audit for cooked poultry in China. The audit included a document review process and on-site audits of various aspects of the inspection system, such as plant facilities, laboratories, training programs, and in-plant inspection operations. Despite passing the FSIS inspection, there are concerns about whether Chinese processing plants can maintain the same sanitary conditions and processing techniques when exporting processed poultry to the United States.
One concern is the lack of country-of-origin labeling (COOL) on imported chicken products. Without COOL, U.S. consumers may unknowingly purchase and consume chicken processed in China, potentially compromising their right to make informed decisions about the food they put into their bodies. This is especially concerning given China's record of food safety issues and the risk of zoonotic bacteria, such as salmonella and campylobacter, which can be transmitted to humans through cross-contamination or the consumption of raw or undercooked poultry.
To address these concerns, the FSIS has pledged to maintain an open dialogue with China and reiterated its commitment to ensuring food safety without compromise. However, critics argue that trade deals between the United States and China prioritize commerce over public health. There have been interventions from Congress to block poultry imports from China due to significant problems in the food safety system and the absence of USDA inspectors in Chinese processing plants.
While there are valid food safety concerns about importing processed chicken from China, it is important to note that the demand for meat in China is rising, and U.S. chicken companies are eager to tap into this growing market. In 2019, Tyson Foods Inc., a major U.S. poultry processor, received approval to export American poultry to China from all 36 of its U.S. processing plants. This development is expected to increase U.S. agricultural exports to China and strengthen trade relations between the two countries.
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Country-of-origin labelling
In the United States, there have been concerns about the lack of country-of-origin labelling for chicken that is processed in China and imported back into the US. In 2013, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) allowed chicken originating from US farms to be slaughtered in the US, shipped to China for processing, and then shipped back to the US for sale without the requirement of COOL. This led to concerns among consumers and politicians about the safety and transparency of the chicken they were purchasing.
American politicians and consumer groups have expressed reservations about the safety of chicken processed in China due to food safety concerns and consumer information issues. There have been concerns about China's poor track record with regard to food safety standards, including incidents of insecticide-tainted dumplings, bad baby formula, diseased pigs, and maggots in pasta. Without COOL, US consumers may not be able to make informed decisions about the chicken they purchase and consume.
In 2015, there were rumours that the Tyson company was sending chicken to China for processing and then importing it back to the US for sale. However, Tyson denied these claims and stated that all of the chicken they sell in the US is raised and processed in the country. Nevertheless, the absence of COOL for processed chicken creates uncertainty among consumers about the origins of their food.
To address these concerns, some have advocated for the adoption of modified COOL standards for processed foods. This would ensure that consumers have accurate information about the country of origin of their food and can make informed choices. It also allows consumers to support local industries and promotes transparency in the food supply chain.
While there are arguments against COOL, such as legal challenges claiming that it gives an unfair advantage to American meat, the benefits of providing accurate and transparent information to consumers outweigh these concerns. COOL enables consumers to make informed choices, supports local industries, and enhances trust in the food supply chain.
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Cost competitiveness
While there is no explicit mention of companies that ship chicken to China for processing and re-import it, there are a few points that suggest the cost competitiveness of this practice. Firstly, dark meat chicken is considered a delicacy in China, and buying it in the US and shipping it to China can be profitable, as seen in a case mentioned on Reddit. Secondly, lower Chinese labour costs can make it economically viable to ship chicken to China for processing, despite the additional shipping costs. This is evident in the case of Tyson Foods Inc., which was approved to export American poultry to China from all its US processing plants in 2019. This move was expected to increase US agricultural exports to China.
However, it is important to note that the economic viability of shipping chicken to China for processing depends on various factors, including the cost of shipping, labour, and processing. In 2015, a spokesperson for the National Chicken Council, Tom Super, stated that processing chicken in China might not be economically sensible due to the additional shipping costs and logistical challenges.
Furthermore, concerns have been raised about the safety and quality of chicken processed in China due to its record of food safety issues. The use of antibiotics and the lack of stringent regulations in China may result in higher levels of toxic residues in the meat compared to poultry processed in the US. These factors could impact the cost competitiveness of processed chicken from China if consumers are willing to pay a premium for safer and higher-quality products.
In summary, the cost competitiveness of shipping chicken to China for processing depends on multiple factors, including shipping costs, labour costs, and the ability to sell the processed poultry at a competitive price point in the US market. While there may be economic incentives, such as the demand for dark meat chicken in China and lower labour costs, other considerations, such as food safety and quality, can also influence the cost competitiveness and consumer preferences for chicken processed in China.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Tyson Foods Inc. received approval from U.S. and Chinese authorities to export American poultry to China from all 36 of its U.S. processing plants.
Yes, Tyson Foods expects to begin taking more orders from China as Chinese consumers seek alternatives to pork due to a deadly hog disease that has killed millions of pigs and raised meat prices.
No, there are other companies that ship chicken to China for processing. In 2017, a Reddit user shared a story about their boss, who sat on the board of a bank, approving a loan to two men looking to buy chicken in the U.S. and ship it to China.
No, consumers in the U.S. are not always notified if the chicken they are consuming has been processed in China. Restaurants are excluded from country-of-origin labeling, so cooked poultry can be sold without consumers knowing its origin.
Shipping chicken to China for processing can be more cost-effective for companies due to lower labor costs in China. However, it has been criticized for utilizing China's slave labor and potentially compromising food safety.
