May 31, 2007

China rejects imports of tainted Australian seafood

China has blocked 30 tonnes of frozen seafood from Australia that was tainted with heavy metals at a time Chinese products have come under scrutiny around the world.

The shrimp and squid arrived in Zhanjiang port, southern Guangdong province, where customs officials discovered lead and cadmium have exceeded safety levels, Chinese state media said.

No further details were immediately available and the Australian embassy in Beijing had no immediate comment.

China's quality standards was under fire after tainted pet food caused deaths of cats and dogs in the United States and toxins in toothpaste exported from China led to recalls in Latin America.