Far to the south in the Province of Gansu
Is the home of the bankrupt dairy, Sanlu;
Known to have the highest protein levels seen
From the secret ingredient – melamine.
Tian Wenhua, the disgraced corporate head
Has been sentenced to life for six babies dead.
Another Chinese food is declared toxic
Three hundred thousand souls are expected sick.
Neo-greed has replaced Communist misrule,
Getting rich with two billion people to fool.
The milk is watered down until it is blue.
Fake protein is added, it’s the thing to do.
For Chinese infants the impact was the worst;
But a small price to pay to slake profiteer’s thirst.
Chinese justice, often selective, grinds slow;
Decrees that some culprits will not be let go.
Chairwoman Tian faces life behind bars,
But will greed blind inspectors forfeit their cars?
The food supply is tainted by corruption
And citizens await the next eruption.
Author notes
Photo source: http://www.emaxhealth.com/files/imagecache/medium/files/images/poison-milk.jpg
At least once a month the world is treated to another story of Chinese products that are shoddy or down right dangerous. I do not wish to be misinterpreted as saying this very old culture is morally bankrupt. They are going through what much of the rest of the world went through as they ascend from vassalage. The motives are similar to what has gotten the world into its current financial mess; essentially unbridled greed.
For links to the actual melamine story check out: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7843972.stm
Don't expect to see this story on the American slobberfest known known as the Nightly News.
In a list
A contest entry
- Asia by ea.
700 points, ended January 25, 8 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Written on this Date... by xxRainbowDawnxx.
625 points, ended March 23, 39 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 15 of 15
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Takes all sorts these days, you have nothing sacred. Puts me off letting anyone near my food and drink just incase they decide to try and tamper with it.
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I am lucky to live in an area where I have a choice of food sources including growing or hunting my own. I do buy alot from stores, but it is mostly out of convenience rather than necessity. Thank you for reading and commenting. I am glad you enjoyed the poem.
Mike
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Congrats on Bronze
Busy Woodchuck. Now we know how much wood a woodchuck chucks!
Corruption and greed are never confined to a single ideology or culture.
The Nestle company used to dump its milk powder on African countries, claiming it was good for babies. They starved to death in their thousands.
Any politician who promotes deregulation is either a fool or someone's pawn.
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Thank you for reading and commenting. I am glad you enjoyed the poem. China, like the old Soviet Union has very strict government laws on issues like this. It is not de-regulation that is the problem in this case. Instead it is the fact that on so many issues, the country does not enforce its regulations at all.
Mike
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This is a very good piece, well rhymed and bringing out an important message. It is really scary how America just ships their toxic waste and garbage to China's shores for children to wallow in and pick apart to recycle. Sickening.
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Alot of somewhat toxic scrap is sent to China to be recycled. The big issue these days is electronic scrap which is not being recycled appropriately. By the way, it is illegal to ship hazardous waste out of the country for disposal or treatment unless the process is up to American standards.
The melamine contamination issue is entirely a Chinese deal to make more profit off milk by hiding the fact that it has been diluted with water.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Mike. -
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Thank you, I wasn't aware of this particular issue but it sounded a bit like that Nestle thing that went on in Africa, where baby formula was diluted and just the fact of introducing it made the mother's own milk supplies dry up.
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This Is simply stunning, It's been all over the news here, you have captured exactly what has been happenin
Excellent piece my friend, you have this thing sussed
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i wondered if you knew about it. Sanlu was owned partly by a Kiwi firm. I guess when the Kiwis found out about it they stopped it and reported it. I am glad you enjoyed the poem. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Mike -
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Yup the company Is Fontera, the news says they have backed right off,
Ha ! It hits the fan and the suits run, go figure
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Fantastic!!
what an amazing poem, I am a breast feeding counselor so your poem jumped out at me, and was an amazing read, you captured corporate greed in a few lines, and the lives that have been destroyed through profit!! I thoroughly enjoyed it and will make sure my friends read your poem, thank you for your amazing effort, and I know it sounds corny, but breast is best!!
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I am a corporate consultant. Most of the companies that I work for give a darn about what they do. Others are led by gluttonous sharks. My ex-wife breast fed our kids for 6-9 months. I think it gave them a very healthy start.
I am glad you enjoyed the poem. Thank you for reading and commenting. It is much appreciated.
Mike
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Superb Plus +
Thank you for writing this one. I hadn't heard of this story. You said it quite well. This is a real tragedy.
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Thank you for reading and commenting. The reason you have not heard of it is it is not of interest to American media. Our media is absorbed with the latest thing that the Obama's said, ate or shat. While I remain hopeful that the new administration will succeed with some of their goals, there are definitely things that are more important to report on than the clothes and food choices of the first family.
We get alot of food and food additives from China. -
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You are quite welcome. I have friends from around the Pacific Rim. I found out that some of them of heard of it here in Seattle, since it is on the Internet. Thank goodness it is.
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