September 17, 2010

China vows harsh penalties for food safety criminals

China warned Thursday (Sep 16) that the worst offenders of food safety rules would get the death penalty in a new crackdown on an industry that has spawned embarrassing and deadly scandals in products ranging from seafood to baby formula.

Chinese authorities already have used capital punishment in some of the most egregious food safety violations, but appeared to be expressing their intention to become even more aggressive in prosecuting such cases.

China overhauled its food safety management system after a series of scandals that frightened consumers at home and abroad, including a problem two years ago with tainted baby formula that killed six children and sickened 300,000.

That scandal led to prison terms for dairy executives deemed responsible and a shake-up of the Chinese milk industry. Two people were executed.

But the problems have continued, with authorities this year again finding milk tainted with the industrial chemical melamine in several cases.

The government is debating revisions to the criminal code that would cut economy-related and non-violent offenses from the list of 68 crimes currently punishable by death. It's not clear if the proposed changes would affect punishments for food safety crimes.

Thursday's notice also promised harsher punishment for government officials who accept bribes and protect or ignore food safety offenders.

The notice did not appear to announce changes to the food safety law but said courts should order the highest penalties allowed.

Other food safety problems have included seafood treated with cancer-causing antibiotics or antimicrobials, eggs colored with industrial dye, and fake liquor that can cause blindness or death.