Meatballs are still being sold along with other imported food at Ikea's Swedish food market in Tianjin, despite horsemeat being found in meatballs sold at Ikea stores in Europe, the Tianjin-based City Express reported on Tuesday.

Ikea insisted in a statement on Tuesday that all meatballs it sells and serves in China are not imported from eastern Europe, but are produced in Xiamen.

Although the place of production is clearly stated on the meatball packages, many Tianjin customers were quoted as saying it is misleading for Ikea to sell and promote the meatballs with other imported food.

An Ikea staff member in Tianjin quoted by the newspaper failed to explain why they are being sold with other imported food.

A public relations manager with Ikea in Beijing said the meatballs are sold at the Swedish food market "because their flavors are Swedish".