'Lavender bears' from Australia not allowed into China  

澳洲"薰衣草小熊"被禁入境 内含植物种子未经审批

澳大利亚出品的“薰衣草小熊”最近在网上很火。2日珠海检验检疫局邮检办对媒体公布，该局于近日查获2批“薰衣草小熊”，由于该产品内装的种子含有多种有害生物，目前“薰衣草小熊”已依法作退回处理。[查看全文]

Zhuhai (ECNS) -- "Lavender bears" from Australia, a stuffed animal that has become an online hit in China, are not allowed into the country, as it lacks inspection certificates for the seeds inside, quarantine authorities said.

The lavender-colored bears come with heat packs that are filled with dry lavender seeds and wheat from a Tasmanian farm, and has become a popular "must have" item in China, after being spotted on social media sites of well-known Chinese media personalities.

A slight heating of the pack in a microwave oven is said to help alleviate symptoms of pains.

Zhuhai Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau intercepted 14 "lavender bears" on April 1 because they lack inspection certificates, and they will be sent back. The bureau also took samples for inspection.

Quarantine authorities in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, also intercepted one and found seeds from a type of malignant weed, viruses and live worms from it.

A report last month said most "lavender bears" sold on Taobao, China's largest online market, are fake, as there are only two ways of getting a real bear: from the shop on the farm in Australia, or order from their website for a limited number of bears every day, which are usually sold out within half an hour.