OSI group to fund food safety

Download

US-based OSI Group, owner of the Shanghai food company accused of selling expired meat announced on Monday that it would invest 10 million yuan ($1.62 million) three-year food safety education campaign in China and establish an Asia Quality Control Center to regain market confidence.

Shanghai Husi Food, a food supplier for a number of global brands such as McDonald's, KFC, Pizza Hut and Starbucks, was accused by a television station last week of using expired meat as well as forging production dates to extend shelf time.

The case soon spread from the Chinese mainland to Hong Kong and Japan, and also provoked wide public anger.

David G. McDonald, president and chief operating officer of OSI Group, said the company is conducting an internal investigation, and that the preliminary investigations have found issues that he said are absolutely inconsistent with internal product requirements and policies.

"We will fully cooperate with Shanghai FDA for the investigation," he said.

The group ceased operations of the Shanghai Husi plant for internal and external investigations, and extended their internal reviews to ensure that compliance met their global standards.

But the group didn't talk about compensation for consumers in China.

"We have put our focus on the investigation. We want to find out the reason behind the misconduct, and made by whom and for what motives,” he said, adding that they will take swift and decisive action against those responsible.

Questions:

1. How much will OSI Group invest in a food safety campaign?

2. How long will the campaign last?

3. Who is David G. McDonald?

Answers:

1. 10 million yuan.

2. Three years.

3. President and chief operating officer of OSI Group.

（中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑）

About the broadcaster:

Anne Ruisi is an editor at China Daily online with more than 30 years of experience as a newspaper editor and reporter. She has worked at newspapers in the U.S., including The Birmingham News in Alabama and City Newspaper of Rochester, N.Y.