Chinese authorities in the city of Zhumadian, Henan province, issued a health warning in reaction to the importation of Thai Bazhang durian on Oct. 5. Nucleic acid testing revealed positive results for SARS-CoV-2 on the packaging of imported Bazhang durians. Several durians from the same batch were transported to Zhumadian markets for sale, and one crate of eight durians from the batch ended up in Zhengyang County.
In Sept. 30, the durians were delivered via wholesaler to a Xiyonghong supermarket in Zhengyang County in Zhumadian, where they were deemed potentially contaminated. Some durians had already been sold when the investigation took place.
In its report, Zhengyang County Center for Disease Control and Prevention noted that all tests performed on personnel and environmental surrounds could not detect durian, and that extensive inspection and testing were carried out immediately. In order to ensure proper isolation and disinfection, the affected supermarket was temporarily closed.
In the Chinese province of Jiangxi, another batch of Thai durian packaging tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Aug. 14. The Thai minister of commerce, Jurin Laksanawisit, released a statement a few days ago declaring that China had neither banned nor warned the Thai durian export industry. Currently, there has not been a ban, but foodstuffs imported from other countries, especially fruit, have been subjected to more rigorous testing measures. Chinese customs authorities have yet to implement stricter measures for Thai durians after a second instance of contaminated packaging in the last two months.
The General Administration of Customs of China previously issued a guide on official procedures to be followed if traces of SARS-CoV-2 are found on fruit packaging.
In accordance with the guide, the first and second times the virus is detected will result in an import suspension of one week; the third time the virus is detected, imports will be suspended for four weeks.
