By Laurie Burkitt
SHANGHAI--Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) said Friday that products
sold in its China stores are safe, denying local media allegations
that the retailer sold expired meat and old products in stores in
the country.
Local media reported Thursday that a Wal-Mart store in the
southern city of Shenzhen was selling expired meat as well as food
items prepared with out-of-date oil and rice that previously had
been returned by customers.
The Bentonville, Ark., retailer investigated the issue Thursday
and confirmed there have been no violations, the company said. "We
are comfortable saying, based upon this inspection, that none of
the alleged activities exists in the store today," it said. It also
said that the State Administration for Industry and Commerce
visited Thursday and found no problems, and that Wal-Mart was
cooperating with authorities.
The statement said Wal-Mart would take action if it finds any
violations.
Expired meat has been a concern for consumers of food
originating from China in recent weeks, after authorities earlier
this month accused Shanghai Husi Food Co., which is owned by
U.S.-based OSI Group Inc., of intentionally selling meat beyond its
shelf life to restaurant companies, such as McDonald's Corp. (MCD)
and Yum Brands Inc. (YUM). Both companies cut ties with the
Shanghai supplier.
Shanghai Husi has apologized, while OSI executives have said
they are cooperating with authorities and promised to revamp the
company's China operations.
China is a key market for Wal-Mart. Still, the company has
frequently come under fire in the country for food-safety issues.
To address the issue, Wal-Mart has said will triple its spending on
food safety in China to 300 million yuan ($48.2 million) by the end
of 2015.
Write to Laurie Burkitt at laurie.burkitt@wsj.com
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