Substandard food brands banned

Five brands of food deemed substandard in safety inspections have been banned from being sold in markets, according to two statements released by the Beijing food and drug administration bureau via its official news portal.

Yuanmou brand dried cherry tomatoes (sold in bulk), Great Wall brand dried Chinese wolfberries (sold in bulk), and Longfang brand apricots and peaches were all found to exceed the standards for sulfur dioxide residue; Tongxin brand fava beans had excessive levels of acid, said the statement.

Excessive sulfur dioxide residue poses a potential threat to customers, especially the elderly, pregnant women and children with weaker metabolic capabilities.