Wal-Mart recalls donkey product in China after fox meat scandal

[CountAllVotes]

Source: Reuters

Wal-Mart Stores, the world's largest retailer, has recalled donkey meat sold at some outlets in China after tests showed the product contained the DNA of other animals, the U.S. company said.

Wal-Mart will reimburse customers who bought the tainted "Five Spice" donkey meat and is helping local food and industry agencies in eastern Shandong province investigate its Chinese supplier, it said late on Wednesday in official posts on China's Twitter-like Weibo. The Shandong Food and Drug Administration earlier said the product contained fox meat.

The scandal could dent Wal-Mart's reputation for quality in China's $1 trillion food and grocery market where it plans to open 110 new stores in the next few years. China is the largest grocery market in the world and is set to grow to $1.5 trillion by 2016, according to the Institute of Grocery Distribution.

"This is another hit on Wal-Mart's brand, meaning wealthy shoppers will start to lose the trust they had before," said Shaun Rein, Shanghai-based managing director of China Market Research (CMR) Group. CMR estimates Wal-Mart's market share fell from 7.5 percent to 5.2 percent over the last three years.



Read more: http://www.cnbc.com/id/101304962

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One comment:

[KurtNYC]

1. "Five Spice Donkey Meat" !?

Paging Anthony Bourdain.

[onehandle]

2. I would not, could not, in a box.

I could not, would not, with a fox.
I will not eat it with a mouse.
I will not eat it in a house.
I will not eat it here or there.
I will not eat it anywhere.
I do not eat imported Chinese foodstuff.
I do not like it, Walmart-they-are.

[dixiegrrrrl]

12. Lol..very good.

[TwilightGardener]

3. When you're down to eating donkey, what's a little fox thrown in there?

I mean, really.

[jmowreader]

9. Turns out donkey is very popular meat in China

It's a historical thing...an army unit five hundred years ago got stuck in the snow and was forced to eat its horses to survive. They thought the meat was delicious. They later realized horses were useful and started eating donkeys instead, which they found even more delicious. Now donkey burger is a favorite street food in China.

[levp]

4. So much greatness packed into one article...

From "What else is new?" department:

3: Chinese supplier offers tainted food;
2: Meat industry practices suck;
and my no. 1: "Wal-Mart's reputation for quality"

[sharp_stick]

5. How does fox get in there

do they use foxes to chase donkeys into the grinder and then one or two don't stop in time?

This story is just a polite reminder to Never, Ever, Ever, Ever, Ever purchase food products from China.

[Myrina]

6. "wealthy shoppers will start to lose the trust "

... yes because WalMart products have long been known as high-end designer/boutique products ...





Oh and re: mystery meat of any kind.

[CountAllVotes]

7. High-end designer/boutique products

IS high-end donkey/fox?

Wal-Mart, shame on you!!!!

[alp227]

8. Did the suppliers not watch "What Does the Fox Say?"

[lunasun]

10. A Walmart outlet selling donkey meat in China . Already sounds shitty but FOX meat oh no

The fox is oh so trendy now, but not to eat
Is donkey a cheap substitute for horse meat ?

[PeoViejo]

11. Can't they tell the difference between a Faux Dick and a Donkey Dick?

There's Nothin' like the real thing, Baby...

[4bucksagallon]

13. Love the one comment............

"Consumers on popular microblogging site Sina Weibo were at a loss whether to criticise Wal-Mart or support it. Online sentiment can spread quickly in China where there is a high proportion of social media users.

"Isn't fox meat more expensive than donkey meat anyway?" asked one bemused user."

There are no Wal-Marts here but many many Giasanos and SM malls. Shopping here in the Philippines has been one of the most depressing aspects of living here.