Festival snack sample fails quality test

Among 25 samples of qingtuan, or green glutinous rice balls, one failed recent quality tests conducted by the Songjiang District Administration for Market Regulation.

The substandard sample was produced by Nanjing Qingzhen Taoyuancun Food Co in Jiangsu Province and sold at the Canghui Road outlet of bakery chain Christine.

Produced in March, it failed for excessive bacterial colonies, the administration said.

Failure to ensure hygiene during manufacturing and processing, improper disinfection and cleaning of containers, or packaging and delivery problems were likely blamed for the substandard results, authorities said.

Qingtuan is a seasonal snack of Qingming Festival, which falls on Saturday this year.