China bans Indonesian fish imports on health fears

BEIJING, Aug 3 (Reuters) China has banned imports of fish and other aquatic products from Indonesia after finding heavy metals and drug residues on many occasions, the government said today.

The move takes effect immediately and all such goods which arrive from Indonesia from now on will be sent back or destroyed, the quality watchdog said in a statement on its Web site (www.aqsiq.gov.cn).

''It is to protect consumers' health and safety,'' it said.

It said mercury and cadmium had been found as well as residues of banned drugs.

The ban was described as temporary, though the statement did not say when imports may resume.

The safety of Chinese food, drugs and other products has been in the international spotlight following the death of animals in the United States from tainted pet food and the recall of toys made for Mattel because they contained excess lead.

But China has hit back by insisting the problem is limited to a few cowboy operators, and that anyway it is a global issue.

In July, China suspended pork and poultry imports from some US suppliers after finding salmonella-contaminated chicken and meat products with growth agents or other additives.

Reuters SYU DB2000