3 December 2002
One and a half years ago, the Chinese community held the first ever national demonstration protesting against the false accusation that a Chinese restaurant was to blame for the foot and mouth crisis in the UK. The demonstration resulted in an apology from Nick Brown and MAFF, and an international media turn around from previous racist slander against the Chinese. For many, this protest marked the beginning of a new political voice for Chinese in the UK.

One and a half years later, how has the foot and mouth protest changed British views about the Chinese catering industry? In the months after foot and mouth, we endured various stories about the health problems associated with soy sauce and MSG, both staples of the British Chinese catering industry.

Moreover, in recent months (August 10), the Daily Mail published a scathing attack on the British Chinese catering industry in their article, ”CHOP PHOOEY! The unpalatable truths about Chinese dishes that are now Britain's favourite food.” This article has upset and enraged Chinese people around the country, and serves as a disparaging indication of how Chinese and Chinese food are represented in national media.

In this issue, therefore, Dimsum attempts to redress the balance, by giving our comment on Chinese cuisine. We tackle the issues highlighted in the Daily Mail article, take advice from our in-house nutritionist on a healthier diet, and see what others are doing in the community to address this recent bad publicity. Above all, we examine the significance that food and meals take in within Chinese culture.

 

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