Expired products from US, European countries find their way illegally into China's food chain

Meat that had been frozen for up to 40 years old was smuggled into China through a secret supply chain set up by gangs at home and accomplices abroad, according to law enforcement officers.

The criminal network was revealed by customs officials after they busted 14 gangs in 14 provinces and regions in a crackdown on the smuggling of rotten frozen meat products, dubbed "zombie meat" by the media.

The trade in expired meat developed to meet booming demand for meat products.

The General Administration of Customs said officers confiscated more than 100,000 metric tons of smuggled frozen meat valued at 3 billion yuan ($483 million), if sold, including chicken wings, beef and pork.

Some of the seized meat had been kept for as long as 40 years and was sold to customers at sidewalk snack booths and small restaurants in a number of cities.

In Changsha, capital of Hunan province, customs officers broke up two gangs with a total of 20 members on June 1 and seized 800 tons of products that, if sold, would rake in more than 10 million yuan.

Changsha People's Procuratorate issued arrest warrants for the 20 suspects who are alleged to have smuggled and transported the meat.

A prosecutor who is handling the case said gang members colluded with foreign accomplices.