In July, the much loved Bright Food ice cream brick, or Guangming Bingzhuan, from East China's Shanghai, made its debut in the UK with a shipment of 2.52 metric tons, supervised by the city's Fengxian Customs.

People love the sweet Bright Food ice cream bricks. [Photo/eastday.com]

This was the seventh country to enjoy Bright Food's treats this year. In the first half of 2024, Fengxian Customs facilitated the export of 149 tons of the cool Chinese products in 130 shipments, valued at $630,000.

Shanghai Yimin Food Factory Co Ltd, the company behind Bright Food, has been focusing on international markets in recent years.

Along with its classic offerings like saltwater popsicles and tri-color ice cream, it's introduced new flavors such as lime popsicles and coconut-flavored ice cream bricks. These products are now enjoyed in North America, Europe, Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Fengxian Customs is said to have played a crucial role in supporting Bright Food's global expansion. By studying quality standards in key export markets like Europe and the US, the customs office guided the company in refining its product formulas and production processes.

Additionally, the customs office provides round-the-clock inspection and certification services, reducing the waiting time from production to export, and the burden of frozen inventory for businesses.

This success is part of a larger trend of Shanghai's historic brands expanding internationally – including Seagull watches, Maling canned meat and Maxam toothpaste.