China's Ministry of Health publicized 1,040 hygienic standards on its website on Friday, according to the ministry's information office.

 

The ministry is using separate web pages on its website for listing these hygienic standards currently in effect. Any organizations or individuals can search for the specific standards they need to consult in their business, said a spokesman of the office.

 

Hygienic standards are a crucial part of public health and key to the protection of people's health and life safety, said the spokesman. Hygienic issues such as food safety, blood safety and occupational diseases have been arousing public concern in China in recent years.

 

To date, the ministry has issued more than 1,800 hygienic standards of various kinds, of which 1,169 are now in effect, involving food, environment, occupational diseases and blood collection and use.

 

The remaining 129 currently-effective hygienic standards will also be available on the website in a short time, according to the ministry.

 

The ministry has also promised to stage regular news conferences starting next year, at which major health news will be announced to the media at home and abroad and relevant officials and spokespersons will answer questions, according to Health Minister Gao Qiang earlier this week.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 31, 2005)