Exports from a Shanghai-based food producer has been suspended as of Thursday after Hong Kong hygiene authority detected chemical contents in its canned meat.

Shanghai Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau on Thursday ordered an export suspension of all food products, including canned meat, seafood, fruits and vegetables, from Shanghai Maling Aquarius Co. Ltd., a listing company on the Shanghai Bourse.

In order to ensure food safety, exports must be suspended and the company must recall all canned meat before the investigation is finished, the bureau ordered.

The Food and Environment Hygiene Department of Hong Kong announced on Monday that low level of nitrofurans metabolite has been found in a kind of less sodium pork luncheon canned meat made by Maling. The amount detected is 0.0022 ppm, the department said on its official website.

Nitrofurans is a kind of drug derived from furan that are used to inhibit bacterial growth. Frequently taking nitrofurans is poisonous and might even cause cancer or death.

Maling has won many domestic and international awards for a number of its food products including canned meat and sticky rice. More than 50 percent of its products have sold well in many countries in Asia and Europe.

Phone calls to the Shanghai firm for a comment were not answered Thursday evening.

(Xinhua News Agency December 7, 2007)