Noon International: Food Trading Import Export

Caveat Emptor (Merriam-Webster – a principle in commerce: without a warranty the buyer takes the risk.)

This should be a warning to all of us when dealing with Chinese food processors. Actually it applies to all food processors anywhere in the world, I only mention China because we are importers of frozen vegetables from China.  We must remember that it is we the importer that is responsible for the integrity of the food imported into the United States. (A key principle is to Know Your Supplier.)

Today with the advent of the internet we are constantly bombarded by emails from China offering us, (in my case), frozen food products.  Who knows where they get your name or email from but there is not a day that goes by without getting some offerings.  They all claim to be factory XYZ, the largest and best, and they may be factory XYZ, but also they may just be ordinary people, that know English, with internet access, that are trying to make an extra dollar by selling the foods abroad and getting a commission.  They often offer product at very low prices.  The problem is what facility is this coming from?  Is it coming from a factory that has HACCP in place?  Has the factory been audited by a 3rd party?  Both good questions to ask but often not. 

Some of our customers or other importers in the USA will take the bait and buy the product sight unseen. If they don’t have any problem then all things are okay and perhaps they buy more in the future.  Is their potential for food safety issues?  You bet.  Anybody that doesn’t do their due diligence is taking risk – Caveat Emptor.

Then why do they take the risk?  More often than not its because of the MONEY.

A couple of points about the good and the bad of email bombardment from China:

• Pros - It makes the importers more competitive.  
• Cons - Buyers from unknown facilities face potential food safety risk.
• Cons – We put the general public at risk not knowing the origin of the food.

Just recently while in China I visited a factory that had contacted me via email.  From Beijing I had to drive 4 hours to the factory to visually inspect the processing line.  We at Noon International make this part of our import and export protocol to inspect our food sources so we may provide quality and safe foods to our customers.  Well, I wish I had gone for a tour of the Forbidden City, or to see the Great Wall, and learn about Chinese culture. 

Upon arrival to the factory, we went immediately to the workshop to inspect the production.  Upon entrance we had to put on hair nets but no changing of clothes or shoes which should be standard protocol.  No removal of jewelry or watches, no washing of hands – I was ready to leave now, but since I spent 4 hours getting there I went inside to see the rest of the story.

What did I see inside?

•  Flys
•  Insects
•  Filth
•  Wood
•  Straw brushes
•  Rags lying all over the conveyor belts
•  standing filthy water
•  Cob webs – spiders at the center of the web having their daily meal

I would suspect that no consumer of these products would welcome any of the above in  their food, although the spider and flys might add a little protein value (ugh).

They claim to have HACCP but I have yet to see the certificate from the China CIQ.

I don’t think it takes too much knowledge of food processing to know that you don’t want to be buying product from a factory similar to this. This factory may not be typical, but with thousands of food factories in China, it is imperative that you, the importer, know your supplier.

Do you know where you food comes from?  If not, shame on you!! Caveat Emptor.

Technorati Tags: Noon International, China, food safety, HACCP, Caveat Emptor, China CIQ 

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