China’s top legislature approved the Food Safety Law on Feb. 28, providing a legal basis for the government to strengthen food safety control “from the production line to the dining table.”

The law, which goes into effect on June 1, 2009, will enhance monitoring and supervision, toughens safety standards, recall substandard products and severely punish offenders.

Earlier reports said China’s Health Ministry would mainly handle food safety monitoring, evaluation and investigation of food safety emergencies. It would also be responsible for the general coordination of departments and promotion of local health authority reform.

The Health Ministry would also be responsible for the general coordination of departments and promotion of local health authority reform.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology was committed to creating a credit record system among food manufacturers and strengthening self-discipline in the food industry.

The Agriculture Ministry should take effective measures to secure the quality and safety of farm produce at source and promote standardized agricultural production.

The State Administration for Industry and Commerce was responsible for regular inspections of retail and wholesale markets and the establishment of a long-term supervision system on food distribution links.

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine along with the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) would mainly deal with producer access to the industry and the market.

The SFDA would also conduct large inspections of sanitation at restaurants.