China has suspended imports of pork and egg products from Germany after German authorities said this week that the highly toxic chemical dioxin had been discovered in pork and poultry products.

The ban was effective from January 11, said the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine in a statement on its website (www.aqsiq.gov.cn).

Shipments that are already on the way and arrive after January 11 have to be tested for dioxin, said the administration.

German officials said dioxin-tainted feed had been fed to hens and pigs, contaminating eggs and poultry meat at the affected farms.