Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) sent a letter to the President and CEO of the National Growers Association Greg Ferrara to warn about the “sewage garlic” being exported by China.
According to the Florida senator, garlic being sent to the United States has been grown using human waste, “raw human sewage” instead of industry-standard fertilizer, and has been processed through slave labor.
Sen. Scott addressed this concern, writing that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) does not have the United States’ best interest in mind.
Until the federal government puts strong standards into effect, holds Communist China accountable & can verify the safety of goods for American consumption, I'm urging American grocers to act.
Take Chinese-grown sewage garlic off your shelves NOW! pic.twitter.com/8QX4RqC4Hr
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) December 19, 2023
“Communist China is led by an evil regime that refuses to play by our rules, enforce U.S. safety and health standards, or have Americans’ best interests in mind. This unfortunate fact means that food and products from Communist China carry increased risks of being grown or produced in dangerous, low-quality conditions,” said Sen. Scott.
Later on, he would mention the “well-documented reports” of Chinese products failing to meet U.S. safety standards.
“Additionally, there are concerning reports regarding Chinese-made products that are found to be unsafe, inconsumable and produced in questionable conditions that cannot be verified as meeting U.S. food and product safety standards,” said Sen. Scott. “This includes well-documented reports from cooking blogs, home magazines, YouTube videos and documentaries that garlic coming into the United States from Communist China is grown using human feces and forms of raw human sewage as fertilizer, then bleaches to make it appear whiter and cleaner to the eye and cover up the filthy conditions it was grown in. Further, if the garlic has been peeled or processed, those activities are conducted by slave labor.”
Furthermore, Scott urged the National Growers Association President and CEO to “protect his customers” until the federal government takes proper action.
“Until the federal government can put strong standards into effect and our government holds Communist China accountable so it is able to verify the safety of these goods for American consumption, I urge you to act to protect your customers,” Scott said. “Take Chinese-grown garlic off your shelves to reduce the risk to your customers, and send a message to the families that you serve that you will only sell products you trust and know are safe for their consumption.”
Senator Scott is seeking a second term in the upper chamber. He will most likely face off against former Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-FL).
