A China Central Television sting operation revealed that the ice served by three foreign fast food chains in Beijing contained up to 19 times more bacteria than the permissible limit. It seems that bacteria-infected ice is just the tip of the iceberg of tainted food served by many fast food restaurants, says an article in Beijing Times. Excerpts:

The latest food scandal involving well-known fast food chains suggests that, apart from ensuring that ice-makers' equipment are clean, the authorities also have to ensure they change their food safety and store management practices.

The three fast food chains are famous brands known for their relatively high hygiene standards. If such famous fast food chains can serve tainted food, one shudders to think what the smaller chains must be serving.

Such scandals not only highlight the lack of social responsibility on the part of well-known fast food chains, but also the lack of strict market supervision. Although it is the responsibility of fast food restaurants to ensure that the ice and other ingredients they serve are safe for human consumption, the government should strengthen supervision to guarantee that they do so.