Two south China biscuit manufacturers whose products were allegedly seized by authorities in the Philippines for containing toxic chemicals have refuted the claim, saying they have never exported to the country.

Dongguan-based Bairong Food Stuff Company and the Yongkang Food Company, both based in Guangdong Province, have been blacklisted by the Philippines's Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) on contamination allegations.

Bairong spokesperson Xu Fengqiong said its products were sold in Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia, but it had no dealers or distributors in the Philippines, and the company had not directly exported its products to the country.

Sources from the Yongkang Food Company said the company was not licensed to export.

Both companies claimed their biscuits were safe.

Ma Feng, director of the food management department in Dongguan city quality supervision authority, said the bureau had found no formaldehyde after testing the products, ingredients and packaging materials.

He said the products had also been sent to the Guangdong provincial quality inspection authority for further tests.

(Xinhua News Agency July 21, 2007)