East China Province Intensifies Food Safety Monitoring

Zhejiang plans to introduce an index especially for food quality in the eastern China province next year.

The comprehensive index, which is correlated with the quality of each staple food, would be issued regularly on the website of the local government, according to the province's Food and Drug Administration officials.

The local food safety watchdog planned to examine different foods throughout Zhejiang on a regular basis to make the index truly representative.

The idea of the index coincided with a four-month nationwide campaign to improve the quality of goods and food safety that was launched by China in August.

The campaign targeted farm produce, processed food, the catering sector, drugs, pork, imported and exported goods and products closely linked to human safety and health.

Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi described the campaign as a "special battle" to ensure people's health and interests and to maintain a good image of Chinese products.