Stores won't sell aquatic food products from Japan

Major supermarkets in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, including Jusco, Vanguard, Friendship Store and Guandbuy, have announced they will no longer sell aquatic food products imported from Japan after China suspended imports of all aquatic products originating in Japan on Thursday.

The suspension follows Japan's release of contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean, the General Administration of Customs said.

Many supermarkets also said they would adopt a more cautious attitude toward the importation of related chemical products and cosmetics from Japan to safeguard the public health, according to a report in Nanfang Plus on Friday.

Jusco said most of the aquatic products it sells are domestically produced. The list includes codfish steak and salmon.

Friendship Store supermarket said that most of the imported aquatic products on its shelves are from New Zealand, France, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Turkiye and Argentina.

Meanwhile major bazaars featuring aquatic products in Guangzhou, known for its delicious dishes, have also said they won't sell products imported from Japan.

Many seafood stall operators in bazaars said most of the aquatic products being sold are imported from Norway, the United States and Thailand.

Japanese aquatic products now have little market share in Guangzhou, the merchants told local media.

Many local Japanese restaurants have also posted notices in their restaurants, telling customers and diners that they will strictly abide by the country's relevant regulations and rules and that they purchase only ingredients that meet safety standards through legitimate channels and do not import products from 10 places that don't comply, including Fukushima, Japan.

On Thursday, Customs officials said they will closely track and assess the impact of Japan's dumping of radioactive water into the ocean. The administration cited the need to safeguard national interests and public health.