Regulators in 33 countries this year have?banned imports of mooncake from China.

Regulators in 33 countries this year have banned imports of mooncake from China due to concerns over food safety. Countries imposing a ban include major trade partners such as France, Germany, Thailand and Switzerland.

Many mooncake manufacturers have felt the chill as mooncake exports growth has slowed this year. Exports of mooncake made by Guangdong manufacturers reached US$11.25 million by Sept. 8, signaling substantially slower growth than last year, the provincial food safety watchdog said.

Another 30-odd countries have imposed restrictions on imported mooncake. The EU, for instance, has set stricter criteria for nut fillings, Japan has imposed a higher standard for food addictives, and countries such as the U.S., Spain and Australia have demanded no egg yolk be used in mooncake filling.

Mooncakes are a traditional food Chinese people eat on the Mid-autumn Festival. This year, the festival will fall on Sept. 12.

China's business press carried the story above on Friday.