Chen Ning's words stunned everyone present.
To everyone's surprise, while Chen Tao remained silent, a mere deputy director spoke up.
Chen Tao's expression immediately changed.
The subordinate spoke before the leader, showing no understanding of official etiquette. Wasn't this a slap in the face to Director Chen?
If it were any other subordinate, he would have slapped him long ago, but Chen Ning has powerful backers, so he didn't dare.
Chen Tao maintained his smile, "Hehe, Chen Ning, let's eat first! We can discuss any problems later!"
Li Qun chimed in, "Yes, yes, yes! Deputy Director Chen, today is mainly about having a meal and chatting. If there's anything we haven't done well enough, please feel free to point it out in the future!"
Chen Ning frowned slightly. "Isn't the purpose of this meal today to set production standards? To put it bluntly, it's just a working meal. Now that you've brought out these standards, we can have a good discussion about them!"
Li Qun's expression froze instantly.
Unexpectedly, this young woman was so stubborn. He had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "Alright, if there's anything we haven't considered in our standards, you can point it out, and we'll go back and study it again!"
These were just polite words, but unexpectedly, Chen Ning actually opened the document and said, "I've taken a quick look, and there are just too many problems. I'll pick a few of the more important ones to mention. First, these anti-caking agents are commonly used in domestic salt products! Recent experiments have shown that anticoagulants have very significant negative effects on liver and kidney function, as well as blood pressure! So I think we should be very cautious about adding them!"
"In addition, while emulsifiers can thicken dairy products, they can affect the intestinal mucosa and flora, especially for people with underlying gastrointestinal diseases, where the impact can be ten times greater than for the average person. Considering this, I suggest removing them from the list!"
"And then there's sodium benzoate, which is a toxic preservative with great harm. Most developed countries abroad have already banned its use! We can completely replace it with potassium sorbate!"
Chen Ning spoke eloquently, not only pointing out the problems in the document but also offering professional opinions.
Everyone was stunned.
Li Qun and the other bigwigs stared at each other, speechless.
Having traveled to so many places across the country, this is the first time I've encountered such a knowledgeable female cadre.
Previously, this was just a formality. The local government was eager for them to invest, and as long as the standards met the national standards, no one would use that to stop them. They could basically set the standards however they wanted.
Driven by profit, they naturally try to minimize costs to the greatest extent possible within the limits permitted by national standards.
For example, as Chen Ning just mentioned, if sodium benzoate were replaced with potassium sorbate, the cost would increase by at least tens of millions of yuan per year!
Faced with enormous profits, how could they possibly agree with Chen Ning's statement?
Li Qun smiled and immediately said, "Deputy Director Chen, it's nothing. Our standards are based on national standards, and there won't be any problems within the scope of the rules!"
Chen Ning shook his head. "President Li, your thinking is wrong! National standards are just the minimum standards, but we who make food have to be responsible for the health of the people. That is the original intention of our business!"
Li Qun was stunned for a moment.
Considering the people's welfare? What an idiot!
I'm a businessman, so making money is my priority. Do you think I'm doing charity work?
Li Qun inwardly scoffed, but still smiled and explained, "Deputy Director Chen, I think you're overthinking it! Additives, as long as they're within the prescribed limits, are actually harmless to the human body!"
Everyone nodded in agreement, agreeing with Li Qun's point.
"That's right, the government sets these standards with the health of the people in mind!"
"Discussing toxicity without considering dosage is irresponsible!"
"Deputy Director Chen is overthinking it!"
Several other business leaders also spoke out in support of Li Qun's statement.
Chen Ning shook his head again, "Although your measurements are all within the national standards, many have already reached the critical value! Have you ever considered that people might use different types of additives at the same time in their daily consumption? For example, soy sauce, oyster sauce, MSG, chicken essence, etc. These things, taken individually, will not exceed the standard, but what if they are used together? Especially some restaurants, in order to enhance the flavor of their dishes, will increase the amount of seasonings they add. Do you still dare to say that what the people are eating is harmless and safe?"
"Uh..."
Li Qun and the others were stunned.
Chen Ning's question was too tricky; they hadn't really considered this angle.
Indeed, if ordinary people use it this way, it will cause some harm, and over time, it may develop into serious problems such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol!
Why are there so many chronic diseases now?
Are cancer patients getting younger and younger?
It is absolutely closely related to food safety.
Do these unscrupulous businessmen not have any idea about the current situation?
They don't usually use the things they produce themselves; they only use things that are specially supplied.
The health of ordinary people is not even within their consideration.
Their only goal is to make money and become superior to others!
Besides, we can't entirely blame them. Even public servants like Chen Tao neglected food safety management; if they were allowed to act arbitrarily, wouldn't they become even more rampant?
Actually, Chen Tao and his colleagues weren't entirely clueless.
However, this pie is too big; affecting one part will have far-reaching consequences. Words that are detrimental to unity should be kept to oneself, not spoken aloud.
But today, this hothead has deliberately broken through this barrier and insisted on challenging us!
Li Qun was speechless and could only look at Chen Tao with a pleading look in his eyes.
"Ahem!" Chen Tao coughed twice to ease the awkward atmosphere, and said with a smile, "Chen Ning, there is a reason why the country sets this standard. Also, you shouldn't always compare it with foreign countries. You have to consider that the national conditions are different! Our task is to follow the national standards and focus on economic development. Besides, things are not as serious as you say!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Ning couldn't hold back any longer and stood up abruptly. "Director, what are you saying? We are public servants of the people, and it is the people who gave us this job! The country belongs to the people! No matter how important economic development is, it is not as important as the health of the people! Our health department is the gatekeeper of the people's food supply. I'm making this clear today: if anyone tries to lower standards and harm the people, I, Chen Ning, will be the first to object!"
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