Chinese put trust in organic

While Chinese authorities have moved to assure citizens that their food is now free of melamine, a chemical that caused the death of four infants and poisoned more than 50,000 others earlier this year, many locals aren’t taking any chances.

The scandal erupted after it was found that infant formula milk had been contaminated with the chemical, which is commonly used in plastics and fertilisers. It was later found in other food products, prompting an almost immediate backlash against imports from China elsewhere in Asia, with many opting for organic produce.

Now more locals, concerned about food safety, are embracing organic, too.

Shanghai Organics, the operator of China’s two largest organic farms, said demand for organic was already on the rise before the scandal hit. 

Managing director Guy Weiner told Channel NewsAsia that most of his customers are now local residents. “Chickens that lay eggs on our farm eat organic food so after the scandal with the eggs in China and Hong Kong, many of our customers started calling us.”

The broadcaster also reported a move to introduce more organic fare in restaurants. While some have long used select products, such as organic eggs, on their menus, more are searching out producers to enable them to go 100 percent organic.

This may prove a challenge in a country that relies on cheap, mass produced food, but with an estimated two million hectares of land undergoing organic cultivation there is greater hope for the future.