Red Chinese Herrings

And there is that fishy smell of red herrings on display. Tian Wenhua, the disgraced CEO of SanLu, is attempting to blame one of the Fonterra co-directors for misleading her into thinking that there was a safe level of melamine that was acceptable in milk. Fonterra, of course, states that it made it “vividly clear” to Sanlu that the only acceptable level of melamine was zero.

Neither party is being entirely frank.

Melamine is a common contaminant in many products. It leaches out of the plastic packaging during storage and is almost impossible to remove. The average level of contamination from this source is 2.5mg/kg in milk products. There is no evidence that this level of melamine contamination is dangerous in adults or children. The maximum “safe” limit for human consumption is arbitrarily set at about 10 times the average contamination: 20-30mg. There is no evidence that this is any more or less safe than 2.5mg. The FDA is at pains to point out that there is no known safe amount of melamine. This does not mean it is deadly in small amounts, just that little or no research has been done on it.

In this context, Fonterra is being disingenuous suggesting that there is no acceptable amount of melamine in milk. I am certain that trace amounts of contamination could be found in Fonterra’s New Zealand milk, unless they have changed the plastic they use.

On the other hand, Mrs. Tian is complaining about being “mislead” while the concentration of melamine in her milk was 2563mg/kg. This is 1000 times the normal contaminant level. Apparently, she made the decision to limit the contamination to 10mg/kg after August 1st. Chinese Authorities have convicted her of selling sub-standard products based on this order. This is, of course, a convenient fiction that has enable the Chinese government to convict Tian on a charge that does not mandate the death sentence. It is also a charge upon which they can get an easy conviction – they have the documented proof.

Strangely, China’s state news agency, Xinhua, has reported Tian will appeal her conviction. This makes no sense, as she pleaded guilty (unless she wishes to complain that she was coerced). I presume what they mean is that she will appeal her sentencing. However, blaming Fonterra, however ridiculously, will not help her. The previous court already knew of the documentation. They have probably concluded that European standards have no relevance in China.

I see two possibilities here. One is that Tian Wenhua is genuinely having second thoughts, now she is starting out on her life sentence. She may be prepared to tell all she knows about the affair, including who is complicit. If that is so, I would expect something unpleasant to happen to her before the appeal. Some disgruntled, grieving mother perhaps.

The other possibility is that this is yet another ploy by the Chinese Authorities. By introducing uncertainties (Evil foreigners, Tian’s apparent change of mind), they may hope to distract the large amount of anger generated by her “light” sentence. There is nothing like fear, uncertainty and doubt to control large masses of people. And the “foreign devils” routine is well-tried and tested. Fonterra make a first class red herring…

There is plenty of irony in blaming the whistleblowers at Fonterra for the continuation of the melamine contamination. There is plenty of irony in Fonterra insisting on pure, uncontaminated milk being sold at the same time as insisting on a full product recall.

But the biggest irony of all is Tian Wenhua being sentenced to life imprisonment for selling sub-standard products in China.

Perhaps the Chinese have never heard of the $2 shop.

Additional:

Homepaddock has an excellent take on this.

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