More on the aluminum-laced biscuits saga (previous post): Campbell spokesman Anthony Sanzio, in Camden, tells us flatly today that there's no connection between China banning the biscuits made by its Indonesian subsidiary and other U.S. companies banning or recalling their products from China. He doesn't even demur from commenting on the notion that China is sending a signal about recalls by banning something itself: "I wouldn’t characterize it as that. The Chinese government is obviously concerned about safety. We plan to cooperate with the authorities."
Sanzio gives a few other details: its subsidiary PT Arnott manufacturers the biscuits on contract for another company, which he would not identify. The snacks are not sold under Arnott's or Campbell's name, or any other subsidiary. They are made to the customer's specs and shipped to China in plain white boxes, which are then labeled and sold only there.
As for the aluminum traces found in the biscuits: "Right now, we’re conducting our own investigation into the matter with our teams. We’re testing samples of the products along with the ingredients so we have all the information we have to have to respond appropriately."
