China Has Banned Imports On Shrimp From 3 Different Companies Due To COVID-19 Concerns
China made the decision to ban shrimp imports from three different Ecuadorian companies after COVID-19 was reportedly detected on frozen shrimp packages. The country has started a national campaign to test imported refrigerated foods for the virus, especially foods that come from countries with high counts of coronavirus cases.
The decision to test all refrigerated food imports came after a cluster of the virus hit Beijing in connection with the Xinfadi wholesale market last month, according to Today Online. Barron's also reported that samples that eventually tested positive were taken from the packaging of some Whiteleg shrimp in the cities of Dalian and Xiamen.
Test samples from inside the shrimp packaging came back negative, and there is still no evidence provided by the FDA that suggests the virus can be spread through food. The Barron's report confirmed that customs authorities are placing a temporary ban on shrimp imports from three Ecuadorian companies, though the companies' names were not released.
Director of the food import and export safety bureau in the customs department Bi Kexin said in a statement, according to FORTUNE: "The test result doesn’t mean the virus is contagious, but reflects the loopholes in companies’ food safety regulations. Customs will further strengthen control of the origins of imported cold-chain food.”
This isn't the first import ban China has placed on food due to COVID-19 concerns. In late June, it was announced that the country will no longer be accepting imported goods from a Tyson Foods plant located in Springdale, Arkansas. There has also been a ban placed on products that come from Germany's Tönnies Group meatpacking plants after workers tested positive for coronavirus.
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