Closer Look: Why Have Hunan Officials Not Explained 'Cadmium Rice' Problem?

For the past six months, the media has been reporting that rice grown in the central province of Hunan contains unacceptable levels of cadmium, a carcinogenic heavy metal.

Last month, an inspection in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, revealed that more than half of the batches of cadmium-tainted rice came from mills in neighboring Hunan.

Hunan rice is facing an unprecedented crisis of consumer confidence.