Zhang Yong, head of the food and drug administration, said on Monday that the draft amendment includes strict rules covering food production, transportation and sales.

He told lawmakers that food companies will face tougher punishment if they are found to be responsible for food safety accidents, and government officials will also be punished for failing to supervise food safety.

The amendment follows decisions made in November to establish the strictest system for food safety, said Li Jingwu, deputy director of the Educational, Scientific and Cultural Department of the State Council Legislative Office.

"A tough law is needed when illegal activities are still rampant, and violators must pay a high price for their misbehavior in food safety scandals," he said at a news briefing on Thursday.

Public concern over food safety has increased in recent years following frequent scandals involving major firms.

In 2008, Sanlu Group was found to have sold milk tainted with the toxic chemical melamine. The contaminated milk killed six infants and poisoned more than 300,000 others. Melamine can make milk appear to have a higher protein content.

In March 2011, Shuanghui Group, China's largest meat processor, was found to have bought pigs fed with fodder containing clenbuterol, a harmful additive known as "lean meat powder" because it can help produce lean meat among livestock.

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