Trader Joe's Bans Certain Chinese Imports

USA Today:

Trader Joe's grocery stores are dropping foods from China to satisfy customers concerned about the quality of that country's products after last year's spate of problems.

By April 1, Trader Joe's will phase out single-ingredient Chinese imports such as garlic, frozen organic spinach, ginger and edamame, a green soybean, says spokeswoman Alison Mochizuki. The ban doesn't include products with ingredients from China, a leading source of vitamins and minerals used in many processed foods.

With 285 stores in 23 states, Trader Joe's is known for good prices on a wide selection of exotic items, from Australian licorice to Indian pilaf. Trader Joe's says the products it bought from China were safe. But "our customers have voiced their concerns about products from this region, and we have listened," Mochizuki said.

Read the whole story: USA Today

Comments

[joebaggadonuts]

01:47 PM on 02/12/2008

A better plan would be for Trader Joe's and other grocers to hire testers for themselves and stamp their seal of approval on their products when they meet their own standards. Our demonic Republican controlled government can't be counted on to enforce let alone set standards for food safety. They wait until people (or pets) die or otherwise notice big time before they do anything.

Ron Paulites would be proud of this suggestion, I think, although I refuse to believe that the Constitution did not say that the Government was instituted to PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE. I can read and I see those words in the preamble. Why can't they?

In the meantime, while we fight the evil IN government, corporations who want more of our food dollars should test our food and certify it. Of course it would be cheaper if the government did it but until then...

[CountryBeforeParty]

10:43 AM on 02/12/2008

I respect TJ's stance here. It's certainly their right to do so.

Still, there are plenty of Asian markets around where you can get these items. Personally, another nickel ro dime for safer food is fine by me.

[drblack]

05:48 AM on 02/12/2008

I ran some tests on some chinese fish and was alarmed at the levels of heavy metals.
It is more then just the lack of quality control with China. It is the fact that it is a Tyrannical Communist country that treats people like garbage.
I work with many chinese and they are very proud of their country even when they tell me that "In China you are given the privilege of life by the Chinese government.
In China life is not a right it is a privilege given to those useful and-or loyal to the Communist government.
Would we have bought stuff from the Soviets? From The Nazis? We are strengthening a government who is NOT our friend at all.

[ChinaLawBlog]

01:48 PM on 02/11/2008

What if Trader Joes' customers were calling for it to stop employing Jews, Asians, or African-Americans, would it have listened? How is this any different? Are TJ customers really going to be any safer knowing that their garlic now comes from Pakistan or Bangladesh while nearly all the garlic in the prepared foods still comes from China?

This is racial pandering of the worst kind. It reminds me of how McDonalds used to not employ African-Americans because the country was not yet ready for it. I am appalled at the racism here.

[Dendroica]

04:08 PM on 02/11/2008

Might I ask you, if you are familiar with the techniques that are used to dry teas in China?

Do you think using truck exhaust fumes is healthy for the consumer?

[CountryBeforeParty]

10:41 AM on 02/12/2008

So you're going to continue to hurt our economy, and our health, and our trade deficits, by chalking it up to racism? Are you serious?

I'm sure China appreciates your PC ways as they send you more poison food to eat. But hey, it's cheap.

[workingboy]

01:02 PM on 02/11/2008

Couldn't they provide a list of exactly WHAT they're banning? Anyone who travels to Asia will tell that China has become so polluted: air, land, water. Take a swim in the Love Canal before putting its products in your system. 'Tis amazing: even with increased energy prices, it's cheaper to grow food there and ship it here. Gotta say this about the Crime Family Era: it's not only Orwellian, there's a strong dose of Alice in Wonderland!

[Dendroica]

12:19 PM on 02/11/2008

Way to go! And note to wadenelson1, it isn't just about testing but about carbons. It would be in the world's best interests (as well as our own) that we stop shipping produce a million miles to save a penny, while using vast quantities of oil.

[almoguy]

02:03 PM on 02/11/2008

spot-on Dedroica! This may sound like the bandwagon, but everybody should try to purchase at least a small portion of food that is "local." First it connects you with farmers in your area, affords you a personable adventure and is so carbon responsible. If you have a pot and some soil and some seeds you might even connect with what nature is all about by growing some of your own!

[michnovak]

09:43 AM on 02/11/2008

It's about time. I stopped shopping there years ago when I bought a bag of stir-fry frozen mixed veggies and saw they came from China. I was so infuriated that my broccoli and carrots had to be shipped halfway across the world that I wrote a letter asking why they couldn't find a more local supply for such a basic mix. I received a VERY snotty answer from HQ about how no one else complained and their sales of this particular item proved that people were okay with it thank-you-very-much. I now read the labels on everything and buy local produce whenever possible.

There is no excuse for their decision but greed. If you still shop there, read the packages carefully!

[realitytrumpsbull]

06:17 AM on 02/11/2008

I like Google's approach...100 mile radius. If it's not grown within 100 miles, don't buy it, because people are just burning extra bunker fuel hauling coals to Newcastle, so to speak, unnecessary commercial activity that 'stimulates the global economy' or whatever, but whoever thought up the idea of importing SPINACH needs to sober up, there.

[Hopalongpoppyseed]

02:13 AM on 02/11/2008

I am far from being a food purist, but I have already stopped buying Chinese products, especially food, wherever I can. I do not buy imported foods if they are imported in the same season as they come to market here at home. I rarely buy foods out of season. I have a large garden which is going to get even larger this year. OK, I know this won't solve the food supply problems, but I just feel a lot better doing it this way. Remember this, buying food from far away means you are exacerbating the world energy problem through long distance shipping costs.

[smokeystover39]

01:46 AM on 02/11/2008

Congrats to Trader Joe - ya listened to your customers and you just gained one more......ME!

[wadenelson1]

12:01 AM on 02/11/2008

What corporate laziness.

With their resources Trade Joe's could pay for independent TESTING of these items, and force the Chinese to clean up their act or do business elsewhere.

Consumers and EVERYONE ELSE would win.

[SaintN]

11:02 PM on 02/10/2008

Greedy U.S.Capitalists and their "Stooges" in Washington,engineered the licensing and massive importation of unhealthy and dangerous Chinese goods,foods and food additives!

This whole questionable Chinese products debacle originated directly from the decision making of greedy,get rich quick capitalists who have taken over the helm of the American Govt..
In the meantime these right wing capitalists have been methodically destroying America's democracy while they're also working greedily to sink the country into disasterous debt and ruin by way of their countless,self serving,dirty deals!