Rumours trigger panic buying of salt across mainland, HK

Fears over Japan's continuing nuclear crisis fuelled a salt-buying frenzy across China as shoppers raced to stock up on the basis of wild rumours and speculation.

The craze began over the erroneous belief that salt and the iodine in it is a defence against the radiation emanating from the Japanese power station. Shelves were emptied in supermarkets and corner shops from the capital to Guangzhou in a mad scramble for uncontaminated condiments. And when salt sold out, some crazed consumers started grabbing bottles of soy sauce by the armful.

'Earthquake, tsunami, nuclear plant blasted, salt can never be eaten any more,' cried one woman as shoppers fought over supplies in a Beijing supermarket yesterday morning.

The mania even spread to Hong Kong - usually less prone to panic buying - where the spike in demand led to retailers charging as much as 10 times the normal price.

The National Development and Reform Commission called on market supervisory authorities nationwide yesterday afternoon to step up vigilance on salt vendors to prevent price manipulators or speculators taking advantage of the situation.

Officials in Hong Kong and in main mainland cities issued public statements trying to refute concerns about radiation poisoning and the need to stockpile salt. But the official reassurances appeared to do little to put shoppers' minds at ease.