China to Tighten Rules on Food Safety

BEIJING, China - Chinese government officials pledged Tuesday to improve regulations on food, particularly dairy products, following last week's seizure of 64 tons of milk powder containing 500 times the acceptable level of toxic melamine.

At a news conference at the Ministry of Health, authorities attempted to reassure citizens rattled by reports of the tainted milk. Two years ago, six babies died and hundreds of thousands of children were sickened by melamine-tainted milk.

"China attaches great importance to food safety, particularly dairy quality and safety," Deputy Secretary for Health Supervision Chen Rui told reporters Tuesday at a news conference at the Ministry of Health. "The ministry will continue to organize the national dairy safety standards to track evaluations, listen to the food production companies and consumer opinion and constantly revise and improve the national dairy safety standards."

While work is underway to regulate the dairy products, it will not adversely impact purchases of milk products currently offered for sale, officials asserted.

Source: CNN.com