Shrimp imported from three Ecuadorian companies are being pulled off shelves across China following detection of the novel coronavirus on package samples.

China suspended imports from the three producers after six samples recently collected from the interior of the shipping containers and outer packages for frozen white shrimp tested positive for the coronavirus, although samples of the shrimp and their interior packages tested negative, according to a notice released by the General Administration of Customs, National Health Commission and State Administration for Market Regulation on Friday.

Customs across China must supervise inspections to make sure all frozen shrimp produced after March 12 and imported from the three companies are returned or recalled from the domestic market to eliminate food safety risks and protect public health, the notice said.

In East China's Zhejiang province, 78 metric tons of related products had been taken off shelves as of Saturday noon, the provincial market regulator said. The products will be returned or destroyed.

In Shanghai, market regulators have intensified inspection into related products and venues, such as frozen storage rooms, wholesale food markets and restaurants. The municipal administration for market regulation has urged its branches across Shanghai to urge related distributors and sellers to immediately suspend the sale of frozen shrimp produced after March 12 and imported from the three companies, and cooperate in sample inspections.