Up to 64.8 percent of Chinese people consider food safety a concern, according to a report released by the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) on Thursday.

But, despite a wealth of food scares in 2006, the figure was a 7 percent lower than in 2005.

Of the 38,733 people surveyed, 63.8 percent pinpointed food processing and distribution as the most questionable aspect of food safety.

According to the report, children's food, meat and meat products as well as bean products topped the unsafe food list, while rice, flour, fruit and vegetables were considered the safest food.

Food safety in rural areas is still cited as a major concern as more shoddy products are distributed in these areas due to lax supervision.

The survey covered the country's four municipalities and 27 provincial or regional capital cities, lasting from September to December of last year.

(China Daily February 16, 2007)