Tests on samples of frozen green beans that reportedly caused sickness in Japan showed no evidence of pesticide residue, Chinese authorities said in Laiyang, eastern China's Shandong Province on Thursday.

Sample tests carried out on Wednesday found no sign of pesticide residue, the quality and quarantine authorities of Yantai City, Shandong Province said.

No abnormal signs was found in the beans' planting and processing procedures, the authorities said.

According to Japanese media, three people fell ill after eating the frozen beans produced by Yantai-based Beihai Foodstuff Co Ltd.

A Japanese health ministry official said a Tokyo woman experienced numbness in her mouth after eating the beans on Sunday.

(China Daily October 17, 2008)