China ‘blocks or destroys’ foreign foods and cosmetics
China's quality watchdog has destroyed or blocked the import of a wide range of foreign food and cosmetic products after concerns that they posed potential health risks.
On its website, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) published blacklists of products from nations including the United States, South Korea, Japan and New Zealand.
All products imported in April and May - including milk powder, jam, chocolate and bath products - "were not sold in the domestic market" and "have been returned, destroyed or converted to other uses", AQSIQ said.
General Mills was singled out after its corn muffin powder, pancake powder and cake flour were found to have genetically modified contents or excessive aluminium, the agency said.
Other companies named included US group Kraft Foods, South Korea's Lotte, and Britain's Marks and Spencer.
