China blocks 169 substandard food imports

BEIJING -- Chinese authorities uncovered 169 batches of substandard imported food in September, according to figures released by China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, or AQSIQ, on Tuesday.

Unqualified food additives, product quality and microorganisms were the major problems found with the imports, which came from 31 countries or regions, the AQSIQ said.

The substandard food covered 14 categories, mainly dairy-related products, pastry, biscuits and beverages, said AQSIQ spokesperson Li Yuanping.

The AQSIQ also uncovered seven batches of substandard cosmetic products imported from three countries or regions, which were either wrongly labelled, with unqualified additives, or did not match their certificates.

These products were either sent back or destroyed and did not enter the Chinese market. Further details will be published on AQSIQ's website.