China intercepts 143 food shipments in February

Chinese authorities found 143 batches of substandard food imports and rejected them for the domestic market in February, the country's top quality supervisor announced on Monday.

Substandard additives, microbial contamination and poor quality were the main problems with the imports from 28 countries and regions, according to the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ).

The rejected food fell into 16 categories, mostly beverages, seasonings, biscuits and candy, said AQSIQ spokesman Chen Xitong.

AQSIQ also found 29 shipments of substandard cosmetics imported from two countries and regions.

All substandard products were either sent back or destroyed, Chen said.