Chinese gov't urges food safety

BEIJING - The Chinese State Council, the country's cabinet, has issued a guideline to boost food safety this year, a government statement said on Tuesday.

More measures will be taken to deal with land and water pollution and those who are using banned pesticides and veterinary drugs will be punished, the statement said.

The quality of baby formulas will be strictly monitored and a campaign will be made to crack down on any illegal use of food additives, it said.

More efforts will be made to improve food safety in meat products and punish those who illegally purchase, produce or sell sick or dead animals, the document said.

Waste from kitchens should be dealt with properly and it is forbidden to illegally purchase, transport or process waste edible oil, it said.

Campaigns will be made to improve food safety in the rural areas, as well as in the vicinities of schools, the statement said.

Draft amendments to the Food Safety Law released in October last year said China will triple the fines for severe food safety violations, and those jailed for such crimes will be banned forever from the food industry.