China Busts Cardboard Bun Shop

(AP)  Chopped cardboard, softened in an industrial chemical and made tasty with pork flavoring, is a main ingredient in batches of steamed buns sold in a Beijing neighborhood, state television said.

The report, aired late Wednesday on China Central Television, highlights the country's perennial problems with food safety despite continuing government efforts to improve the situation.

Countless small, often illegally run operations exist across China and make money cutting corners by using inexpensive ingredients or unsavory substitutes. They are almost impossible to regulate.

China Central Television's undercover investigation report features the shirtless, shorts-clad maker of the buns — called baozi — talking about how the product was sold in a neighborhood in Beijing's sprawling Chaoyang district.

The hidden camera follows the man, whose face is not shown, into a ramshackle building where steamers are filled with the fluffy white buns, traditionally stuffed with minced pork.

The surroundings are filthy, with water puddles and piles of old furniture and cardboard on the ground.

"What's in the recipe?" the reporter asks. "Six to four," the man says.

"You mean 60 percent cardboard? What is the other 40 percent?" asks the reporter. "Fatty meat," the man replies.

The bun maker and his assistants then give a demonstration on how the product is made.

Squares of cardboard picked from the ground are first soaked to a pulp in a plastic basin of caustic soda — a chemical base commonly used in manufacturing paper and soap — then chopped into tiny morsels with a cleaver. Fatty pork and powdered seasoning are stirred in.

Soon, steaming servings of the buns appear on-screen. The reporter takes a bite.

"This baozi filling is kind of tough. Not much taste," he says. "Can other people taste the difference?"

"Most people can't. It fools the average person," the maker says. "I don't eat them myself."

The police eventually show up and shut down the operation.

[heavencanw8]

IF IT'S FROM CHINA. IT MUST BE HELL!!! PLEASE IF YOU LOVE YOURSELVES DON'T PATRONIZE CHINESE PRODUCTS!!

[keithle1]

I can't wait to visit China. NOT. eeeeewwwww.

[blue_eyes68]

I did not bring up other countries because the article was on China. In any country bad decisions are made to save money, make more money, etc...but again, if there was more a respect for human life then maybe some of these decisions would not be made. Long term consequences would be taken into account or possible harm to someone else thought about. that is all. I brought up that empress and group because I just got finished reading a book about them. You are right...every coutnry has its faults and a lot of them stem from thinking about onself and not others..lack of respect for others and life.

[crabbycrabby]

Don't go to chinese restaurants, chinese takeout unless it can be proven that all of the condiments that are made are domestically manufactured.

Costco sells organic frozen vegetables. All made in China. Don't buy it.

Trader Joe's and other "organic" food providers offer food made in China.

I was in Target the other day and there was a toddler gummy fruit snack that was gelatin free and Pareve that was a product of China. I put it down.

[blue_eyes68]

a lot of it stems from their lack of respect for life. only allowing families to have one child so parents end up abandoning the girls or aborting them because it is not a boy, etc.... goverment does not see it as wrong...they are only girls. Girls are treated worse than animals and animals are not treated very well there. China's history is filled with a lot of examples of lack of respect for human life. Look up Tz'u Hsi and Ho Chuan-Fists of Righteous Harmony...very SCARY.

[maxium6]

Some of you guys are hilarious. I stopped buying all canned tuna, sardines, oysters, and clams. One of the major name brands has everything shipped from China. I won't spell it out, but the initials are (C of the S). Read those cans folks. Most things say distributed by company, state, and city. I write to the companies and find the source. If you don't recive an answer, don't purchase it.

[funkiwiteboy]

anybody know what percentile of our food has direct ties to china?
didn't they just execute their national food czar or somethin?
say yer blessin's folks!!!
Lord have mercy on me a sinner...

[rushlimpdrug]

But what about their toilets . . .
Wow! impressive.

[jimc52]

Ummmm....if you are planning on going to the Olympics in '08 in Beijing (Peking)...you had better bring your own lunchpail. Yummy yummy...industrial chemicals and cardboard...I wonder what else tourists will be eating next year in China?

PS: China, just don't send any more of it to the US, ok?

[conniereh]

Of course we see in the news a couple of days ago that Seattle is increasing trade with China. There goes the government again working against what is obviously the right thing to do. With warnings and everyone getting sick or dying. Get your act together Seattle!!