BEIJING -- Chinese quarantine authorities seized 230 shipments of substandard imported food in July, according to official data released on Wednesday.

Product quality, microbial contamination and unqualified certificates were the major problems found in the imports, which came from 41 countries or regions, Chen Xitong, spokesman for the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), said at a press conference.

The substandard food fell into 16 categories, mainly beverages, biscuits and alcohol, Chen said.

Some 18 shipments of cosmetic products imported from eight countries or regions were also seized due to their substandard quality or contamination by microorganisms.

The products were either returned to the senders or destroyed, and did not enter the Chinese market.