This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-35381169

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
China finds restaurants using opium poppies in food China finds restaurants using opium poppies in food
(1 day later)
Thirty-five restaurants across China have been found illegally using opium poppies as a seasoning, officials have revealed.Thirty-five restaurants across China have been found illegally using opium poppies as a seasoning, officials have revealed.
Five are being prosecuted while 30 are under investigation, the China Food and Drug Administration said.Five are being prosecuted while 30 are under investigation, the China Food and Drug Administration said.
Local authorities are being urged to help investigators find the sources of the poppies, the China Daily reported.Local authorities are being urged to help investigators find the sources of the poppies, the China Daily reported.
Poppy powder, which contains low amounts of opiates, is banned as a food additive in China.Poppy powder, which contains low amounts of opiates, is banned as a food additive in China.
However, restaurants have previously been caught using it.However, restaurants have previously been caught using it.
In 2012, seven restaurants in Ningxia province were closed for using opium poppies and in Guizhou province in 2004 authorities shut down 215 establishments for similar offences.In 2012, seven restaurants in Ningxia province were closed for using opium poppies and in Guizhou province in 2004 authorities shut down 215 establishments for similar offences.
One of the businesses affected by the latest crackdown is reported to be the popular Huda Restaurant chain in Beijing.One of the businesses affected by the latest crackdown is reported to be the popular Huda Restaurant chain in Beijing.
General manager Hu Ling confirmed the company was under investigation and said it may have unwittingly bought seasoning contaminated with opiates. She declined to comment further.General manager Hu Ling confirmed the company was under investigation and said it may have unwittingly bought seasoning contaminated with opiates. She declined to comment further.
China has been hit by a series of food scandals in recent years.China has been hit by a series of food scandals in recent years.
In 2014 a Shanghai-based supplier was found to have sold unsanitary and expired chicken meat to food chains including KFC, Starbucks and MacDonald's. In 2014 a Shanghai-based supplier was found to have sold unsanitary and expired chicken meat to food chains including KFC, Starbucks and McDonald's.
In 2008, six children died and more than 300,000 were made ill from milk powder contaminated with melamine, an industrial chemical used to make plastics and fertiliser.In 2008, six children died and more than 300,000 were made ill from milk powder contaminated with melamine, an industrial chemical used to make plastics and fertiliser.