Border controls

In addition, customs will work closely with other authorities, including immigration inspection and public security departments, to strictly control border areas and block the smuggling of frozen meat, while cooperating with industry and commerce departments and the quality inspection sector to tighten up the supervision of frozen meat products, he added.

"We will conduct a thorough investigation into frozen meat products without legal certificates or that haven't been inspected, and will close down collection and distribution centers used to smuggle the meat."

In addition, a long-term mechanism will be established to improve routine supervision of refrigerated stores and markets that handle frozen meat products.

The China Food and Drug Administration of Supervision said the authorities in Jiangxi, Guangdong, Heilongjiang and Anhui provinces have conducted special operations to check whether meat products sold in markets and restaurants or kept under refrigeration have expired.

"Anyone who sells imported frozen meat products should provide certificates granted by customs," an official said.

"Those without the certificates will be prevented from selling the meat, and the products will be confiscated."

zhangyan1@chinadaily.com.cn