The food safety alarm is sounding once again. On Sunday, China's top drug watchdog issued an emergency notice suspending sales of 13 kinds of drugs, all of which were found to have excessive chromium in the capsule. Some of the drugs are manufactured by well-known pharmaceutical companies in China.

The tainted capsules are made from industrial gelatin which is clearly banned in the use of food production. Factories in Hebei, Zhejiang and Jiangxi provinces are involved in producing capsules with cheap gelatin made from waste leather.

Local bureaus of the State Food and Drug Administration have launched investigations. Public security authorities in the three provinces said they will round up the non-edible gelatin and tainted capsules in the market.

The problematic drugs have been detected in Beijing, along with Jiangxi and Jinlin provinces. More than 10, 000 types of drugs are in the market in China. Over ten percent is packed in capsules.

(CNTV.cn April 18, 2012)