An official from China's quality watchdog denied on Friday that his administration approved import of beef from Kobe, Japan.

"China has never approved the import of beef from Kobe of Japan," said Li Yuanping, director of the Import and Export Food Security Bureau of the State Administration of Quality Supervision and Inspection and Quarantine.

Li made the remarks in response to recent claims by some upscale Chinese hotels and restaurants that they offer "imported Kobe beef" in a bid to woo customers.

He said ever since the outbreak of mad cow disease in Japan in 2001, the Administration has asked quality supervision, inspection and quarantine departments at various levels to strengthen inspections over ships, airplanes and belongings of travelers coming from Japan and other countries and regions that are plagued by the mad cow disease.

Thus far, he said, no Chinese enterprises have applied to the Administration for the approval of importing beef from Japan.

Quality supervision and inspection and quarantine departments in Beijing, Shanghai, Shandong, Liaoning, Guangdong and Shenzhen have launched raids on departments allegedly involved in the case.

Investigation is still underway.

The Administration warned consumers to enhance food security awareness and shun away from illegally imported meat products.

According to the country's access standard for imported meat, meat products can only be allowed to enter China after being authorized by the Administration and getting qualified certificates from concerned departments.

Source: Xinhua