As the New York Times reports that 900,000 tubes of toothpaste manufactured in China and poisoned with antifreeze have been distributed to hospitals for the mentally ill, prisons, and some regular hospitals, the Chinese government defended the quality of the country’s exports. From AP:

China insisted Thursday that the safety of its products was “guaranteed,” making a rare direct comment on spreading international fears over tainted and adulterated exports.

China “has paid great attention” to the safety of its exports, especially food, because it concerns people’s health, Commerce Ministry spokesman Wang Xinpei said.

“It can be said that the quality of China’s exports all are guaranteed,” Wang told reporters at a regularly scheduled briefing. [Full text]