China intensifies quarantine on Philippines fruit imports

Harmful insects or bacteria have been found in pineapples， bananas and other fruits imported from the Southeast Asian country since last year.

BEIJING, May 9 (Xinhua) -- China's quality watchdog on Wednesday ordered intensified quarantine on fruit imports from the Philippines after harmful organisms were found in several shipments.

Harmful insects or bacteria have been found in pineapples, bananas and other fruits imported from the Southeast Asian country since last year, and the Chinese authorities have notified the Philippine side and asked them to make improvements, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said in a statement on its website.

The Chinese administration urged local quarantine authorities to increase examinations and food safety risk monitoring on fruits from the Philippines.

Once harmful organisms are found, the goods should be returned or destroyed, it said.