US FOOD COMPANIES HIT BY CHINA BAN

By Jamil Anderlini in Beijing

Monday, July 16, 2007

China has banned imports of chicken and pork products from Tyson Foods, the world's largest meat processor, and six other American companies, in an apparent response to US complaints over tainted Chinese exports.

Authorities in Beijing have accompanied the move with the suspension of exports of mainly seafood products from 42 domestic producers, 17 of which were destined for the US.

But the move against Tyson, which follows criticism aimed at China by the Bush administration last week, has raised fears that a full-blown trade dispute may be brewing.