Editor's Note: Heads up. There are some bad apples in the fruit stand. High demand for imported fruit spliced with strict import/export laws bear forbidden fruit, oranges and grapes that are grown domestically, not from Florida or California. Make sure you're picking the right ones. This translated article reports on fake imported fruit in China.

Imported fruit is more popular than ever in China. Last year, more than 2,600 shipments of fruit entered Tianjin, valued at nearly $140 million. This year, 382 shipments have entered the market, valued at $20 million. New Zealand kiwis, American apples, and Chilean cherries sell for more than double the price of domestic fruit at local Chinese supermarkets and fruit stands.

However, how can consumers be sure that the fruit they are buying is actually imported? When shelling out for imported fruit, you want to make sure you’re getting the real thing. Here are three ways to tell the different between real imported fruit and domestic fruit marked as imported.

1) Ask to See Proof of Import
There are strict rules when it comes to imported fruits. Fruit importers must obtain a license and the fruit must be inspected upon export and issued a certificate. Then, the fruit crates will be marked in Chinese or English with the following information: the type of fruit, country of origin, and where it was packed. Consumers can ask businesses to provide proof of import for the fruit or to see its certificate or proof of inspection to make sure it is real. It is the responsibility of the business to have these documents, and the right of the consumer to see them.

2) Check the Country of Origin
Not all countries have permission to ship fruit to the Chinese market. There are strict rules regarding which countries can ship which fruits to China. For example, Canada only imports cherries to China, and Japan imports apples and pears. Grapes from the United States are only allowed from vineyards in California, not from other states. So if your supermarket is advertising Canadian apples or Japanese cherries, they are fake. You can check the website of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine (AQSIQ) to find a full list of which countries import which fruits to China or call the AQSIQ hotline at 12365.

3) Inspect it Yourself
The easiest way to detect fake imported fruit is by carefully inspecting it. The packaging of fake imported fruit is generally not as nice as real imported fruit. The label can be easily torn from the fruit, and is usually printed in both Pinyin and English. Real imported fruit is generally uniform looking, and bright in color. Imported grapes, for example, are dark red in color with consistent shape and size with a crisp taste.

Source: QQ News

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Keywords: fake fruit China imported fruit