Chinese-made chairs and shoes containing the anti-fungal chemical dimethyl fumarate have been blamed for stinging allergic rashes and persistent skin infections in recent months in France.

Similar cases have cropped up in Britain, Sweden and Finland linked to the chemical.

France's government minister in charge of consumer affairs said in a statement Friday that the government has outlawed the import of products containing dimethyl fumarate.

The statement says Luc Chatel has appealed to other members of the European Union to extend the ban continent-wide. -- AP