China calls for tipoffs on food, drug

BEIJING -- The Legislative Affairs Office of China's State Council called for tip-offs on problematic food and drug products, prohibiting exposure of the whistle-blowers' information.

According to a draft regulation issued on Wednesday, food and drug watchdogs at all levels should create channels for people to report tip-offs using phones, internet, letters and petitions. It called for an improved administration system to handle the reports.

Concrete facts and information on suspect food and drug products should be provided when people submit tip-offs, the draft said.

Although the draft called on people to report using real names, whistle-blowers who are not willing to provide their personal information should be respected. Any information related to whistle-blowers should not be leaked.

The draft also highlighted some of the most important instances in which people should contact authorities, including those causing death and disability, infant and children's dairy food safety, several types of pharmaceuticals, blood products, vaccines and high-risk medical instruments.

Individuals and public organizations can visit www.chinalaw.gov.cn or send letters and emails to share opinions on the draft regulation before Jan 16 in 2015.