Quality watchdog returns food, cosmetics

China's top quality watchdog said on June 28 that 151 batches of imported food products and six batches of cosmetics were returned or destroyed in May due to poor quality.

The products - which came from 27 countries and regions - included cakes, cookies, dairy products, and alcoholic drinks. They were seized at ports of entry in May and were not sold in the domestic market, said Liu Hongsheng, an official from the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

The issues included excessive microorganisms, illegal food additives, and inadequate labels, he said.

Also, about 1,860 harmful species were found 45,955 times during import quarantines for agricultural products in May, according to the administration.

Meanwhile, 13 people died and 12 people were injured in 16 accidents in May with equipment such as elevators and lifting machines, the administration said.