China Consumers Association- Domestic fruits are covered with “foreign clothes”, so be careful when purchasing
On October 22, the China Consumers Association (CCA) issued an important consumer alert regarding the rising trend of domestic fruits being marketed as imported ones.
According to reports from the CCA, the market has recently seen an influx of seasonal fruits, including several expensive imported varieties. However, some of these supposed imports, like the Japanese Shine Muscat grapes, Japanese Shizuoka melons, American lemons, and Colombian dragon fruits, have not been included in China’s quarantine and inspection entry lists. Media outlets have highlighted how some retailers are exploiting information gaps and mimicking imported packaging to sell ordinary domestic fruits at inflated prices—sometimes increasing costs by several multiples. Additionally, there have been instances where domestic origins are misrepresented as foreign brands.
The CCA emphasized that domestic fruits can be deceptively rebranded as high-end imports, driving up their prices nearly tenfold. This kind of false advertising not only infringes upon consumer rights but may also amount to criminal activity, while also negatively impacting legitimate businesses and distorting market pricing.
In response, the CCA encourages consumers to verify the authenticity of imported fruits by consulting the list issued by the General Administration of Customs on September 2, 2024, which outlines approved fresh fruit types and their exporting countries. They advise avoiding purchases of imported fruits that do not match this list to prevent being deceived. Additionally, consumers should choose reputable supermarkets known for quality and maintain vigilance about product labeling authenticity, keeping receipts for any necessary recourse.
The CCA also urges legitimate fruit vendors to intensify their efforts against counterfeit brands to protect their own rights and enhance their labeling verification processes, thus aiding consumers in identifying genuine products.
Furthermore, they call on e-commerce platforms to strengthen their vetting of sellers of imported fruits, ensuring that product information is thoroughly checked and that vendors are legitimate and compliant with regulations.
Lastly, the CCA appeals to relevant authorities for stricter scrutiny of the import procedures for fruits, advocating for enhanced daily monitoring and management in the fruit market to foster integrity and self-discipline.
