A recent survey of consumer goods sold in Guangdong province found that less than half met basic hygiene standards.

The AFP reports that the survey was carried out in April and June and published in the state-run China Daily newspaper.

The survey said that 51 percent of the 202 tested products were either substandard or, quote “dangerous to consumers' health."

Only one-third of the bottled water tested met quality standards.

But authorities in Guangdong have not told consumers which items could be dangerous to their health, drawing public outrage.

The paper quoted a local businessman as saying, "What's the point of telling us some products we are consuming are harmful without telling us which ones?"

Product safety has been an issue in China. Last year, around 300 thousand babies fell ill and at least six died after consuming melamine-tainted milk.