China intercepts Japanese human placental extract injections

Quarantine authorities in central China's Henan province have intercepted 750 human placenta extract injections mailed from Japan, an official said at on Thursday.

Destined for a plastic surgery hospital in Zhengzhou, the provincial capital, 15 boxes containing 750 units of the injections were found at the end of last year, according to the Henan Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau.

It is the first time such a large amount was discovered, said Zhang Hongqiang, an official with the bureau.

The parcels were declared as "wooden artwork" in an attempt to fool customs officials, according to the bureau.

The injections have been returned to Japan, according to the bureau.

Human placental extract injections are biological products that are likely to transmit AIDS, hepatitis B and C and have safety risks. Any biological products are barred from China without the approval from China's drug and quarantine authorities.