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Trader Joe's Cuts Chinese Food Imports

Discount gourmet grocer acts on fears of pesticides, antibiotics

By Jim O'Neill,  Newser User

Posted Feb 12, 2008 8:36 AM CST

(Newser) – With customers worried about the safety of food imported from China, Trader Joe's said yesterday it will withdraw garlic, frozen spinach, and other “single ingredient” items from its shelves by April 1, reports the Los Angeles Times. The discount gourmet retailer will continue selling items made with ingredients from China.

Although the 300-store chain says it believes the food is safe, China has been cited for using dangerous pesticides and for fertilizing its agricultural crops with sewage, as well as high levels of antibiotics in its seafood industry. The US has restricted the import of shrimp, eel and catfish because of excessive antibiotic and chemical residues.

A customer departs Trader Joe's Monday, Feb. 11, 2008, in Los Angeles. Trader Joe's will stop offering some Chinese-grown food products because of customer concerns about safety, the store chain announced Monday. (AP Photos/Ric Francis)
A customer departs Trader Joe's Monday, Feb. 11, 2008, in Los Angeles. Trader Joe's will stop offering some Chinese-grown food products because of customer concerns about safety, the store chain announced...   (Associated Press)
A customer departs Trader Joe's Monday, Feb. 11, 2008, in Los Angeles. Trader Joe's will stop offering some Chinese-grown food products because of customer concerns about safety, the store chain announced Monday. (AP Photos/Ric Francis)
A customer departs Trader Joe's Monday, Feb. 11, 2008, in Los Angeles. Trader Joe's will stop offering some Chinese-grown food products because of customer concerns about safety, the store chain announced...   (Associated Press)
Trader Joe's has some 300 stores from California to this one in New York.
Trader Joe's has some 300 stores from California to this one in New York.   (Getty Images)
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