Chinese chocolates banned in India: Anand Sharma

India has banned import of chocolates and chocolate products from China, Commerce Minister Anand Sharma told the Lok Sabha today.

India had banned import of milk and milk products from China in September last year and the ban has been extended to chocolate and chocolate products, he said during Question Hour.

Sharma said the ban was imposed after it was found that some dairy products imported from China contained melamine, consumption of which is harmful for humans.

He sought to assure the House that international food standards were being "rigidly" adhered to while importing food products from all countries, including China.

Similar action was taken on import of toys, which contained high lead content, he said.

"Only those toys that meet international standards are being allowed to be imported to India," he said.

Sharma said China had raised the issue of Indian restrictions on import of Chinese toys at the WTO Technical Barriers to Trade Committee in March and June this year.

China had mentioned that these restrictions on import of Chinese toys were discriminatory and in breach of the WTO rules, he said.

India had clarified that it had imposed a ban on Chinese toys on grounds of health and safety of children.

On concerns raised by members on Chinese mobile phones flooding Indian markets, Sharma said there is a ban on sale of handsets that do not have the International Mobile Equipment Identification (IMEI) number.

Sharma said the ban on mobiles that do not have the IMEI number was imposed on July 16 this year.