Paraquat is not a tropical fruit in China.  It is one of the most widely used herbicides (weed killer) used worldwide.  It is popular because it quickly kills plant tissue on contact and is very inexpensive.  Its famous for a number of reasons, it’s banned from use in the Europe since 2004 but remains used in USA and other parts of the world. 
Sarojeni V. Rengam, at Pesticide Action Network, has called it the most toxic herbicide marketed globally since WWII. 
Guangdong, The Canton Province, is China’s richest province and the most …

An over a millienium old tradition is being reborn and explored in China.  Modern Agricultural Science Demonstration Park at Xiaotangshan, is located in Beijing, 17 Kilometers from the Asia Games Village.  It’s a planned community, 111 sq K, of which 2/3 is used for farming and rest is an urban community.  Don’t get too excited, it seems there is nothing organic yet and the “exciting” news is that ‘tomato trees’, ‘vertical pillar cultivation’, ‘industrialized seedling production line’ exist.  While I wouldn’t call this great news to hear, lots of good …

The Congressional Research Service, a research arm of the USA Congress recently presented a report titled: “Health and Safety Concerns Over US Imports of Chinese Products: An Overview” publish January 2008 by Wayne Morrison
The report largely references news Stories from 2007, criticizing USA importants of Chiense products based on a number of safety concerns and lack of regulation. 
Some snatch shots of the stories:

Xinhua News Agency reported that former director of State Food and Drug andministration had been sentenced to death for bribes, $850,000 USD for apporivng untested medicines, executed …

China is a complex, diverse and beautiful country with a rich cultural and culinary heritage. During the past two decades, China has taken on and achieved the monumental task of becoming an economic superpower, as it was for much of its history.
But this astounding progress has come at a price. China catapulted to power by joining, and excelling in, the Western game of economies of scale, technological intervention, and globalized business.
Meanwhile, during these same decades, the Western world has gradually become aware of the unsustainability of some of its own …

Some great news.  The at 20 bakeries in Shanghai, cakes are free of Melamine and heavy metals.  On the downside, coliforms were founds in cakes at some locations.  This is not unusual for bakeries in China or the rest of the world.  Coliforms can indicate fecal contamination, but could be tied to any sourcing, eggs, creams, or simply the on site storage.
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2009/200901/20090120/article_388662.htm Excess bacteria in cakes by –
CREAM cakes sold at Christine, Marco Polo and Pucci Bakery failed a food test because they contain high levels of bacteria, the local …