Germany hairy crabs not authorized

China has not granted import authorization for hairy crabs from Germany, China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) said Thursday.

Importing unauthorized hairy crabs will pose risks to China's food safety, public health and ecological environment, the administration said.

Domestic e-commerce companies such as taobao.com have received over 30,000 pre-orders for German hairy crabs, according to the AQSIQ. It ordered online retailers to properly handle the problem in accordance with domestic regulations, and advised consumers not to buy hairy crabs from Germany.

If there is demand for German hairy crabs, and the German authorities officially apply for an import qualification, the AQSIQ said it will cooperate with the German side to solve the problem.