The Guangdong Provincial Bureau of Public Health on Tuesday issued an emergency notice calling for the inspection of shark fin products at all preserved seafood markets throughout the province, reports New Express News.

The notice came after 54 tons of shark fins soaked in an industrial-strength hydrogen peroxide solution were seized at an underground processing location in Foshan's Nanhai District last week.

The large amount of contaminated shark fins confiscated came as a shock to local Cantonese residents with whom shark's fin dishes are popular.

The contaminated shark fins could cause cancer or other fatal diseases, according to health authorities.The inspection campaign will continue through the Lunar New Year, which is on January 21 next year.

Anyone found selling contaminated preserved seafood will be severely punished.

Shark fins and other preserved seafood products usually reach their peak trading period as the Lunar New Year draws near.

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