OSI Group LLC announced last week changes to the organizational and management structure of OSI China after its subsidiary, Shanghai Husi Food Co., was accused of allegedly selling expired meat and poultry products to fast-food restaurants throughout China (Feedstuffs, July 28).

David McDonald, OSI Group president and chief executive officer, said in a statement, "Our China operations will now become a part of the OSI International umbrella, directly embedded into our corporate organization rather than operating as a separate, decentralized entity. This new organization will be called OSI International China."

In order to resolve the recent events, operations at the Shanghai Husi plant were immediately ceased, and a company investigation and reviews are being conducted.

Changes to the leadership team have also been announced: The OSI International China leadership team will include experienced individuals from around the world to ensure full compliance with OSI Group's world-class standards for quality.

Furthermore, OSI Group will assign a vigilant rotation of global experts to continuously survey these operations and implement exhaustive audit steps, which will include constant visual surveillance and extensive employee interviews that concretely identify not only critical production measures and document compliance but actual visual confirmation through extended observation, according to the announcement.

McDonald said OSI International China remains committed to China, investing $500 million over the past five years.

Also, to promote awareness of food safety among the Chinese public, the company invested 10 million yuan to create a three-year OSI Food Safety Education Campaign in China.

Volume:86 Issue:31