12 Jan – Chinese officials have unveiled plans to carry out more inspections of food additive facilities, supermarkets and restaurants in a host of provinces leading up the major Lunar New Year festival.
The initiative will target seven provinces, including Hebei, which was at the centre of the melamine-tainted milk scandal that has so far sickened 296,000 people. It comes as China’s government seeks to restore its battered reputation for poor regulation in the food industry.
Health Ministry spokesman Mao Qun’an said: "We'll seriously check for illegal substances and additives in food and will severely punish companies or individuals who violate the law.”
The Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, kicks off on 26 January and lasts a week. Large meals among family members are commonplace and officials are anxious that China’s main festival is not marred by food safety issues.
Mao confirmed today that the latest government figures show 296,000 babies were sickened and almost 53,000 were hospitalized. The deaths of six babies have also been linked to the scandal.