Senator Rick Scott of Florida, United States, has called on federal regulators to investigate the safety of garlic imports from China, specifically targeting garlic believed to be grown in unsanitary conditions, including areas with possible sewage contamination.
In a letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, Mr. Scott referred to the 1962 Trade Expansion Act, which gave the agency authority to investigate potential national security concerns related to specific imports.
Mr Scott's concerns stem from allegations that some garlic farmers in China are using human waste and other forms of sewage to fertilize their crops. While this practice is not unheard of, it raises questions about the safety and hygiene of the resulting garlic. Additionally, concerns have been raised about using bleach to whiten garlic, potentially masking contaminants or imperfections.
According to the BBCChina is the world's largest exporter of fresh and chilled garlic, and the US is a major consumer. But the trade has been controversial for years. The US has accused China of dumping garlic on the market at a price below cost. Since the mid-1990s, the country has imposed heavy tariffs or taxes on Chinese imports to prevent American producers from being priced out of the market. In 2019, during the Trump administration, these rates were increased.
In his letter, Senator Scott acknowledges prevailing concerns, but highlights an important public health issue regarding the quality and safety of garlic grown abroad, with particular emphasis on garlic production in Communist China.
“I write to request such an investigation into the importation from Communist China of all varieties of garlic, whole or separated into cloves composing its composition, whether or not peeled, chilled, fresh, frozen, provisionally preserved or packed in water or other neutral substance, and the threat they pose to U.S. national security. “Food safety and security is an existential emergency that poses serious threats to our national security, public health and economic prosperity,” he wrote.