Food safety is to be stepped up after the State Council on March 14 issued a circular specifying its plans for the year ahead.

It asks departments and local authorities to strengthen supervision of the quality of agricultural produce by taking measures including setting up a traceability system and eradicating the problem of pesticide and veterinary drug residue.

Use of fertilizers, pesticides and veterinary drugs are to be strictly controlled and heavy metal pollution in farmland and water pollution is to be addressed.

Supervision of the entire process of production and sale of food should be enhanced, it said.

An overhaul of production and sale of infant formula, infant food, dairy products, meat, vegetable oil, water and Chinese liquor is proposed.

The State Council has also asked authorities to control risks in key areas including food markets, and prevent food poisoning in places such as school canteens, tourist sites and railway stations.

The government will continue to punish crimes undermining food safety.

Food Safety Law and regulations on its implementation and the license system for food production and sales will be revised.

Management of food quality and safety must be improved and food companies are to create a system to monitor and trace every step of production and distribution, said the State Council.

They should also set up a national network to monitor food safety, watch for relevant risks and deal with emergencies of food safety.