Chinese customs authorities suspended shrimp imports from three Ecuadorian producers on Friday after allegedly detecting traces of COVID-19 on some recent shipments, according to an announcement.

The three importers are Industrial Pesquera Santa Priscila SA, Empacreci SA and Empacadora Del Pacifico Sociedad Anonima Edpacif.

The authorities found traces of the virus on the outer packaging of six samples taken from the shipments, however, no traces were found on the shrimp itself or the inner packaging.

As a result, the authorities decided to suspend imports to China from the three Ecuadorian shrimp producers.

China will "recall, return, or destroy" all imports produced by the three Ecuadorian shrimp exporters after March 12.

The case marks the first positive results announced by Beijing since it started testing all imported frozen foods for traces of the virus.

Beijing authorities began inspecting all seafood, meat and vegetable produce in markets and food halls after the discovery of COVID-19 on the chopping board of a seller of imported salmon.

At the time, China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that no COVID-19 traces were found in salmon before the fish arrived in Beijing's wholesale food market.