China to Scrutinize Imports of Seeds Linked with E.coli

China’s top quality supervisor said on Wednesday that it will scrutinize the imports of fenugreek seeds and relevant products from European Union (EU) and Egypt over E.coli concerns.

The move aims to prevent the spread of E.coli to China as Egyptian fenugreek seeds were reported to be linked with the outbreak in Europe, Li Yuanping, spokesman of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, said at a press conference.

The administration has urged its local branches to strengthen their quarantine of all fenugreek seeds imported from the EU and Egypt, Li said. “All products should be qualified by laboratory examinations before they are allowed to enter the country.”

Quarantine will also be tightened on imports of other vegetable seeds from both the EU and Egypt, Li said.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published early this month a report from its task force on the E.coli outbreaks in Germany and France, indicating that fenugreek seeds imported from Egypt were the most likely source of the outbreaks.

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Tagged E. coli, Egyptian fenugreek seeds, Li Yuanping