Taiwan's Kuai Kuai launches ricepuffs flavored with China-banned fish

Taipei, Nov. 10 (CNA) Taiwanese snackmaker Kuai Kuai Co. has teamed up with the Pingtung County government to release a new grouper-flavored version of its eponymous ricepuffs, in the latest effort to boost domestic sales of the fish after China banned imports in June.

The new, limited-edition "Soy Grouper Ricepuff Kuai Kuai" is already on sale at PX Mart, Taiwan's largest supermarket chain, the company said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Pingtung County government issued a press release praising the snackmaker for "breaking with tradition" to "bring grouper to the masses" while commending its support for the county's aquaculture industry.

Pingtung County Magistrate Pan Meng-an (潘孟安) celebrated the collaboration in a Facebook post, assuring his followers that "you can really taste the grouper" in the new snacks.

"Just one bite, and the aftertaste lingers!" he wrote.

China's General Administration of Customs announced the suspension of grouper imports from Taiwan in June, citing several findings of prohibited chemicals and excessive levels of oxytetracycline in imports of the fish since last December.

In Taiwan, the decision was widely viewed as a form of political retribution.

Grouper -- like pineapple and other fruits whose import China banned last year -- comes primarily from southern Taiwan, a stronghold of the country's ruling and independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Since the grouper ban, Taiwan's government has sought to soften the economic blow to farmers by promoting the fish's use in school lunches and Taiwan Railways bentos.