China Does it Again: Controversy Surrounds Cat Skewers Sold as Lamb and Pork.

Once again, a shocking incident has occurred in the eastern province of Jiangsu, China, where cats disguised as lamb and pork were almost distributed in the market. This incident has sparked significant concern and outrage within China, amplifying worries about the hygiene of food products.

 

This incident arises amidst ongoing controversies about the hygiene of food products in China.

 

According to the state-run Chinese media outlet, The Paper, on the 12th of last month, police in Zhangjiagang City, Jiangsu Province, responded to a tip from an animal protection group and rescued over a thousand cats from a truck headed to a slaughterhouse. These cats were intended to be disguised as lamb or pork skewers and released into the market after being slaughtered.

 

Animal rights activists discovered the cats confined in wooden crates being transported on trucks and reported it to the authorities after witnessing their journey to the slaughterhouse. They revealed that cats were being sold by meat processing companies disguised as lamb. By using cat meat, which is approximately 4.5 yuan (about 830 won) cheaper than lamb meat sold at around 30 yuan (about 5,500 won) per 500 grams, the costs could be lowered. This was a deliberate act of deception, selling cat meat as lamb or pork at approximately 5,500 won.

 

The rescued cats have now been relocated to an animal shelter. Whether they are feral or domesticated is unclear. While consuming cats is not illegal in China, the covert sale of them raises concerns about hygiene.

 

Following the revelation of this incident, there has been a growing demand for a thorough investigation within China. A resident in Beijing stated, "This incident is truly heinous. The government should investigate it rigorously." Netizens expressed their anger, saying, "Is there anything people won't do for money?" and "Could there be cat mixed in with the meat I've been eating?" Some have even called for legislation prohibiting the consumption of cats.

 

This incident arises amidst ongoing controversies about the hygiene of food products in China. On the 19th of last month, a video circulated on the social networking service Weibo showing an employee at a Qingdao beer factory appearing to urinate on raw materials, causing further controversy. In March 2021, a video of a Chinese man stripping naked and entering a vat to pickle cabbage, known as 'nude kimchi', was released, also causing a stir. These incidents are heightening public awareness of the food industry within China.