It's official, I almost lost the plot yesterday whilst shopping for food (we are back in Chongqing). Given what I do for a living, studying the use of food as medicine, I think I perhaps know a little too much. In 2006 when I lived in Beijing I'm sure things weren't that much better but I was still in my hardcore stage of I can eat it all, anywhere, anytime, my stomach is a fortress - nothing can get me! Now, I'm the opposite, it's funny how things change so quickly (it's only been 5 years afterall). I walked through the Metro market (the equivalent of a Carrefour, which they also have here but it's not as good) and I found myself doubting each and every purchase.
Is there clenbuterol in this pork (causes nausea, dizzyness, and possibly - hip hip hooray - twitching!)? Are these chickens jacked up on hormones (here's to my third boob)? Do we really need to drink tea with milk (melamine tainted milk killed, forget twitching!, 6 babies and sickened 300,000 in 2008)? How about this, is this duck expired or is the organic pork really "organic" (Walmart was just fined a not so whopping $421,894 for doing this RECENTLY, they make um, billions, do they really need the extra profit margin?)?? Hmm, is this vinegar or industrial grade acid? Cause, I really want to drizzle some acid on my salad. No, really, it tastes awesome.
In 2006 in Beijing I admit to hearing bits and bobs here and there about some possibly fake xiao long bao being sold on the street (made out of cardboard boxes that were reconstituted as dough, don't ask how), but I said, oh no, not my sweet amazing xiao long bao place down the street. And I continued on my way. I got sick a few times, but I overall survived and am still standing 5 years later. I also had a lot more fun shopping for food, cooking, dreaming up recipes, perceiving how fresh everything was, and just generally going about my way. But now. I'm freaking out in the supermarket. Forget Jewel Osco, that looks like food heaven compared to China right now! How about the even more recent (as in a few days ago) fake oil scandal? They are selling fake oil made from leftovers at restaurants that have been scrapped and tossed in bins and gutters!
Meanwhile, government officials, uber wealthy Chinese, and top athletes have access to their own stash of organic vegetables, hormone-free pigs, chickens, the whole gamut. They're sitting pretty having glorious meals while the rest of the country is wondering if what they're eating is real, expired, or will make them dance the funky chicken after a few weeks of eating. I can't say the US is all that much better with their meat glue, chicken breast mania leading to chickens jacked up on hormones so their breasts can be big and white enough to shrink wrap in plastic on shelves.... I could go on. But I should probably stop. I told you I lost the plot yesterday.
How to go about this conundrum with positivity and knowledge? That, I am figuring out. I came away with only imported oils and vinegars, I bought some pork and lamb reluctantly, and the vegetables will just have to soaked for longer. Is anyone else out there who knows something they want to share about food safety in China? Please share. I'd love to hear I'm just being paranoid and what's on the shelves here is really not so bad. Though I doubt that's the case and I am sure I'll still be standing in a few years after living here once again, I only hope I'm not doing the funky chicken dance.
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