Authorities in Zhangzhou, East China's Fujian province, have seized and destroyed 540 kilograms of tainted yangmei, also known as Chinese bayberry, and detained five suspects, according to an official statement released by the city's food safety authorities on Wednesday.

The enforcement action followed a May 15 media report exposing the illegal use of chemical additives at several yangmei collection points in Fugong and Baishui, two towns under the jurisdiction of Zhangzhou's Longhai district.

Following the exposure, Zhangzhou authorities dispatched a joint task force to the affected areas. The crackdown has resulted in 12 administrative cases and two criminal cases. Law enforcement officers also confiscated 20.1 kg of illicit additives.

In response to the incident, Zhangzhou has initiated a 45-day intensive food safety campaign to cover the entire peak harvest and marketing season of the fruit. Officials have been deployed to monitor all local collection points, enforcing a strict supervision protocol from purchasing to storage and final sales, according to the statement.

Yangmei is a vital agricultural pillar for the local economy. Longhai district accounts for about 70 percent of Zhangzhou's yangmei output and half of Fujian's total production. Yangmei in Fugong township of the district is recognized as a national geographical indication product.