While the sale or use of the pesticide methamidophos was outlawed by the Chinese government last year, some farmers still use the cheap toxin to protect their crops, the Asahi Shimbun reported Saturday.

News of the pesticide's continued use stemmed from the discovery of trace amounts of it in food products in China's Chiba and Hyogo prefectures. Those items were manufactured by Tianyang Food and have since been linked to illnesses in 10 people.

An investigation determined some farmers continue to use the potentially dangerous product because of its effectiveness in killing pests.

The Shimbun spoke to a broker who allegedly participates in the illegal production of the chemical who said there is strong demand for the banned substance.

"We are secretly manufacturing it at our plant," the unidentified broker said. "We still get a lot of orders. If we are raided before we can deliver the product, we have customers pay the equivalent of the fine."