Wal-Mart China reopened its outlets in Chongqing yesterday after a 15-day shutdown was enforced as punishment for selling fraudulently labeled organic pork.

"We are embarrassed and going to work harder to ensure that this is not going to happen again," Del Sloneker, chief operating officer of Wal-Mart China Hypermarket, said in a statement yesterday.

Sloneker said Wal-Mart has implemented corrective actions and reviewed its management procedures across the country to avoid similar misbehavior in the future.

Special training has been provided for employees in Chongqing, along with facility upgrades and laboratory equipment to support quick examination of food quality, the statement said.

The world's largest retailer was ordered to do a thorough housekeeping after it was discovered 12 of its 13 stores in Chongqing labeled ordinary pork as organic pork for the past 20 months.

The Chongqing Administration of Industry and Commerce accused the outlets of selling 63,547 kilograms of fraudulently labeled pork and making 730,000 yuan (US$114,400) in illicit profits.

The company was fined 3.65 million yuan by the local watchdog.

According to media reports, 25 employees have been detained for further investigation, and two were arrested.

Ed Chan quit as president and CEO of Wal-Mart China last week, along with a top human resources executive.

CEO of Wal-Mart Asia Scott Price, who filled in as the temporary head of its business in China, visited Chongqing last week.