Premier Li Keqiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that food safety affects everyone's health and safety, in an instruction to the national teleconference to award groups and individuals for their work on food safety on April 16 in Beijing.

In recent years, Premier Li said, food safety is stable and improving under joint and coordinated management of related departments and local governments following the lead of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council.

The Premier congratulated honored groups and individuals and extended his sincere regards to those working at the frontlines.

He said the principle of people and life first should be firmly upheld in the work on food safety, and food safety commissions at all levels should fulfill their responsibilities and coordinate with each other to enhance supervision over production, circulation and consumption.

With strict law enforcement and punishment of illegal acts in place, risk prevention and control and emergency treatment should also be improved to make food reliable and safe, and contribute to high-quality development and people's well-being.

Vice-Premier Han Zheng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Food Safety Commission of the State Council, called for hard work in food safety to ensure people’s health at the meeting.

The CPC Central Committee and the State Council attached great importance to food safety, Han said, adding that in recent years, food safety in China was improving yet severe challenges still exist.

He stressed solid moves in addressing any outstanding food safety problems and concerns from society and people, with the strictest standards and supervision measures, and the toughest penalties and accountability.

More new technologies should be used to help improve food inspection, Han added.

Local governments and food businesses must take respective responsibilities with all kinds of social forces mobilized to jointly improve food safety governance, Han said, adding that officials should improve team construction and constantly enhance their comprehensive capabilities.

Vice-Premier Hu Chunhua, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and deputy head of the Food Safety Commission of the State Council, chaired the meeting. State Councilor Wang Yong, also deputy head of the Food Safety Commission, announced the awards.