Seasonal treats recalled after failing quality tests

Two batches of qingtuan (sweet green glutinous rice balls), including one sold by Shanghai-based snack retailer Laiyifen, failed quality tests for containing a preservative, the city's market watchdog said on Saturday.

The substandard qingtuan were one with red bean paste filling made by Tianhe Food Co Ltd in Huzhou, neighboring Zhejiang Province, and one with lactobacillus flavor sold by Laiyifen and produced by Siweite Food Co Ltd in Ningbo of Zhejiang, according to the Shanghai Market Supervision and Management Bureau.

The preservative, dehydroacetic acid, is banned in qingtuan products based on China's food standards.

The two batches of substandard qingtuan have been taken off the shelves with relevant businesses making a recall, according to the bureau.

Administrative fines will be imposed, the bureau added.

Excessive intake of the preservative will lead to metabolic disturbance, experts said.

Qingtuan is a seasonal delicacy and a snack of the Qingming Festival, which falls on April 5 this year.