China starts to import U.S. cherry

China has begun to import cherry from the United States, with the first batch tested safe after arrival by air, said the Shanghai Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau.

The total 216 boxes of cherry, weighing 1,080 kilograms, came from California, one of major cherry growing bases in the United States.

The fruits were tested to be up to safety standard by local quality control watchdog, who promised to closely monitor every batch of cherry imported from the United States to ensure food safety for domestic consumers.

On Thursday, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine identified that four kinds of U.S.-imported foods as unqualified.

The food include three types of capsules and raisins from three U.S. companies, namely K-Max Health Products Co., CMO Distribution Center of America, Inc. and Supervalu International Division.

The national quality control watchdog ordered local governments to tighten monitoring on food imported from the United States and warned domestic importers to specify food safety requirements in contracts to lower trade risks.