China's quality and safety watchdog yesterday canceled 621
production permits owned by 564 food companies and revoked the
licenses of three others as part of efforts to improve the
country's food safety.
Up to 355 permits were canceled because licenses had expired or
companies had failed to update them after moving to a new factory
or making other major changes, said the state's General
Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and
Quarantine.
Up to 249 permits were canceled because the plant was closed or
had suspended production.
The other 17 permits were canceled as the products failed to
meet standards that allow them into the domestic market.
Three food companies from Shijiazhuang City of Hebei Province, Hefei City of Anhui Province and Kaiping City in Guangdong Province lost their production
licenses as they "had severely breached relevant laws and
regulations," Xinhua said.
The companies produced monosodium glutamate, frozen rice and
noodle products.
The administration is stepping up efforts to enforce licensing
and health standards for food manufacturers and shut small,
substandard producers as domestic and international pressure mounts
to improve the nation's food safety.
(Xinhua News Agency September 25, 2007)