China to toughen supervision over food safety

BEIJING -- China will toughen supervision over food safety this year to ensure food quality "from the production line to the dining table."

The government will take the strictest standards, toughest supervision, harshest punishment and the most serious accountability system to improve public food safety, according to a statement released by the State Council on Friday.

China will improve the legal system regarding food safety issues and ensure individuals violating food safety laws are found and exposed publicly.

The government will also work on lifting food safety standards to international levels.

More efforts will be made to enhance management of food planting and breeding and deal with air, water and soil pollution. China will release regulations over soil quality management of agricultural land by the end of this year.

The government will also toughen supervision over food production and operation including online meal ordering and issue guidelines to help upgrade the food sector, according to the statement.