Beijing has pledged to step up investigations into the mainland's food industry after two Chinese companies were identified as the source of contaminated pet food sold in the United States.
The two companies were named by US regulators as selling contaminated wheat gluten to pet food suppliers in America and fish-feed manufacturers in Canada. At least 17 dogs and cats were killed and thousands sickened after eating pet food produced with the tainted ingredients, triggering one of the biggest pet food recalls in US history.
Beijing acknowledged this week that the two companies had illegally exported melamine-contaminated wheat gluten. Melamine is an industrial chemical which can artificially increase the readings of protein in food.
Managers of the two companies have been held for investigation.
The scandal has drawn global attention to China's poor food safety controls, an issue which is also a major domestic social concern.
Government inspectors will investigate the use of fertilisers and pesticides in vegetable production as well as animal medicines and additives in livestock, according to a notice from the State Council.
The authorities will test food including cooking oil, flour, beverages and baby food, and producers that do not make the grade will lose their licences, the notice said. The Ministry of Health said yesterday that it would also step up hygiene inspections of plants making food from beans.
