Authorities will put into effect management regulations on industrial production starting on September 1 in a bid to improve food safety, Beijing-based Economic Daily said on Sunday.

The move came following the occurrence of several food scandals in China in the first half of this year, which involved well-known Chinese and foreign firms, such as Nestle and Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC).

KFC and a subsidiary of US-based Heinz were allegedly to have been found to have Sudan Red-tainted products in China recently. Both companies immediately removed those products from the market.

Sudan Red is a red dye traditionally used for coloring solvents, oils, waxes, petrol and shoe and floor polishes.

A recent survey on Chinese public's 10 most concerned issues by the National Bureau of Statistics shows that food safety and fake products rank the second and the fifth places respectively on the list, indicating the public's serious concern about the issue.

According to the regulations, supervision and management over food production and processing will be strengthened and rectified to crack down on fake food products.

Food firms without authorized production, business and hygiene licenses will be closed. And a sound food quality supervision and management system will be established, the report said.

According to the paper, currently, 370 of the 555 kinds of foods, or 70 percent of the total, under 28 food categories are covered by the country's food quality system.

(Xinhua News Agency August 1, 2005)