In November, four people who had been sent to hospital after eating the snails filed a lawsuit against the city's health bureau, claiming it had failed to publicize the possible dangers associated with eating the snails in a timely manner. The lawsuit is still in process.

The frequency of such problems has taken its toll on the public's confidence in the authorities' ability to respond to food crises.

About 82 percent of the 4,482 people questioned across the country in a recent survey expressed concerns over food safety. About 40 percent of them said they had experienced such problems. The results of the survey were released yesterday.

Experts have been calling for better coordination among the departments charged with responding to food crises. Under the existing food regulatory system, several different departments are tasked with handling crises, making efficient supervision difficult.

To simplify the situation, the plan spells out a system for coordinating the efforts of the 18 bureaus concerned. It clearly defines each bureau's responsibilities.

(China Daily 01/16/2007 page5)

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