WASHINGTON — The list of quality-compromised goods from China got longer Thursday as federal authorities slapped a highly unusual hold on shrimp and certain fish from that country after tests showed contamination from potentially harmful drugs.
The Food and Drug Administration said it would block all shipments from China of farm-raised shrimp, catfish, eel and two other kinds of fish until importers can produce independent test results showing the items to be free of drugs banned in U.S. fish farming.
Agency officials said there was no immediate threat to human health. An industry expert said he didn't expect shortages of shrimp because of the FDA action, because there was more than enough available on the world market.
Thursday's hold came just days after federal transportation officials ordered the recall of as many as 450,000 tires made in China after some lost their treads on the road. Toothpaste from China that was recalled because of contamination with an antifreeze chemical now turns out to have been distributed not just to a few discount stores but to prisons and mental hospitals in Georgia. This year, a pet food manufacturer recalled massive amounts of its products because of contamination from an ingredient imported from China.
Federal authorities haven't done enough to prevent shoddy and even dangerous goods made in China from reaching American consumers, said Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.).
"There is no question that too many Chinese manufacturers and food producers put the bottom line ahead of safety," Schumer said in a statement. "We need stricter standards, more thorough inspections and harsher penalties for Chinese companies and American shippers that turn a blind eye to safety."
Separately, two senior Democratic lawmakers -- Sen. Richard J. Durbin of Illinois and Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut -- called for the government to negotiate a food safety agreement with China that would raise standards in that country.
" 'Made in China' is rapidly becoming a warning label for American consumers," Durbin said.
Food industry experts say the FDA rarely issues an import detention order covering a product from an entire country. The sanction is usually used against individual companies that have failed to correct problems. A similar import hold is in place for cantaloupes from Mexico because of salmonella contamination.
