BEIJING- Shares of several salt makers rose to their 10 percent daily limit on Thursday amid talks that salt is effective against nuclear radiation and fears that seawater could be contaminated from radiation leaking from the crippled nuclear plant in Japan.

Shares of Lantai Industrial hit 17.44 yuan per share, while those of Yunnan Salt Chemical rose to 15.10 yuan per share on Thursday, making them best performers of the day.

China’s National Development Reform Commission, the country’s pricing watchdog, has asked governments at various levels to fight hoarding and manipulation.

The commission said in a notice on Thursday that China’s supply of edible salt is sufficient to meet demand. It also asked local governments to crack down on rumormongers.