BEIJING (AP) – The chairman of an American meat supplier apologized Thursday for a Chinese subsidiary that is accused of selling expired beef and chicken to restaurants including McDonald’s and KFC.
Fast food chains in China suspended use of products from Shanghai Husi Food Co. after a television station reported last weekend it repackaged and sold meat past its use-by date. Authorities launched an investigation and five Husi employees were detained Wednesday after China’s food safety agency said illegal activity was organized by the company.
“What happened at Husi Shanghai is completely unacceptable. I will not try to and defend it or explain it,” said Sheldon Lavin, chairman and chief executive of Aurora, Illinois-based OSI Group, which owns Husi Food.
“I sincerely apologize to all of our customers in China,” Lavin said in a statement. “We will bear the responsibility of these missteps, and will make sure they never happen again.”
Lavin said the company was sending “global experts” to work with staff in China.