Zhangian Guolian Aquatic Products Inc. Ltd, the major Chinese producer of farmed shrimp, have been allowed by the Food and Drug Administration to resume shipping into the United States, standing as the first to be exempted from June restrictions put in place over drug contamination worries.

Among the 700 Chinese affected seafood-exporting firms on restriction, Zhangian Guolian, based in the southern Chinese city of ZhangJiang, is so far the only Chinese exporter to seek and gain exemption from FDA import restrictions on five types of farmed seafood.

After inspecting its processing plant and receiving third-party analyses of five consecutive shipments of shrimp with the proof on free of antibiotic residues, the FDA allowed Guolian to resume their exports to the US markets.

As one of the largest Chinese exporters on farmed shrimp, Zhangian Guolian is also certified by Chinese government to comply with Chinese regulations. The FDA expects other companies to seek similar exemptions.