EBL: Chinese Garlic Practices Stink

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Chinese Garlic Practices Stink

I knew there was Chinese garlic out there but I had no idea how much. There is a lot. This is a good example of why Trump's push back against the Chinese is so important.

I watched Netflix's Rotten. As documentaries go, I recommend it (although skepticism of any show's claims is always warranted). Season 1 Episode 3 was on garlic. It had a legal battle between the main state run garlic company in China, Harmoni (who is alleged to be paired up with Christopher Ranch). vs other Chinese and a few American growers in a trade dispute lawsuit here in the US. The Ninth Circuit is siding with Harmoni and Christopher Ranch (big garlic).

One of the allegations was Chinese prisoners are forced to peel the garlic. As you can guess your finger nails tend to wear down after peeling garlic for 16 hours a day--so they use their teeth. Frankly, I would be more worried about their nails since I doubt Chinese prisons supply toilet paper or sinks and soup for hand washing after using the toilet.

It is an interesting show, especially the self described Bernie Sanders New Mexico farm couple Kristen Davenport and Averum Katz of Boxcar Farms, who say they are against big agro-farming, then flip and support big agro-farming. They felt they did not get paid enough. There is a lesson here. Becareful who you align yourself with.

Bottom line is: Don't buy peeled garlic. It is easy enough to peel it yourself. Better yet, garlic is one of those items you should buy locally from a farmer's market. You might skip Boxcar Farms (however).

It is not just garlic. The Rotten series also addresses how the Chinese manipulate and alter the honey market.

Instapundit: Sex Drive Boost, Use a knife, garlic does not belong there, garlic can kill you, and Prosperity breeds idiots