High level of pesticides in Chinese beans

TOKYO, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- High levels of pesticide contamination were detected in Chinese frozen green beans exported to Japan, Tokyo-area health officials said Wednesday.

The public health office in Hachioji said a woman who ate the beans purchased from a local supermarket became ill, Kyodo news service reported. Health officials said the beans were found to contain organophosphate pesticide dichlorvos at 34,500 times the acceptable levels in imports.

Health officials said the frozen beans came from China's Shandong Province and were imported by Nichirei Foods Inc. for sale under the ''Ingen'' brand, the report said. CNN reported the contamination came to light only after tens of thousands of the Ingen brand packages had been sold.

Those who purchased the brand have been warned against eating the beans. Distributors have been told not to sell the product until the source of the sickened woman's illness becomes known.

Kyodo reported Japan is involved in resolving cases of frozen dumplings tainted with agrochemical methamidophos, which sickened three families.

China has been plagued by a number of product safety issues including tainted milk, dog food and children's toys, the report said.