Twenty-three officials have been penalized in Zhangzhou, East China's Fujian province, following an investigation into the illegal use of chemical additives at local bayberry collection points, local authorities said in a statement on Sunday.

Six government bodies and village committees, including the Longhai district bureau of agriculture and rural affairs, the district market regulation bureau, and the administrations of Fugong and Baishui towns, received public reprimands for failing to perform their supervisory responsibilities.

Among the 23 disciplined individuals, two were removed from their posts, 13 face Party disciplinary and administrative cases, and eight others received warnings or public criticism.

The disciplinary actions followed a law enforcement crackdown where authorities detained five suspects and destroyed 540 kilograms of tainted fruit.

Following a media report on May 15 that exposed the illegal use of chemical additives to alter the fruit's sweetness, Zhangzhou initiated a 45-day campaign last week to monitor all collection points, covering purchasing, storage, and sales during the peak harvest season.

Local authorities said in the statement that they would use this case to plug regulatory loopholes and ensure food safety.