Lawmakers: Food Safety Law Needs to Be Stricter

China's legislators have suggested the current draft regarding China's food safety laws should increase punishments for violators and emphasize local government responsibility.

The latest draft, following the baby milk powder incident last month, is currently undergoing its third review before being passed into law.

Members of the 'Standing Committee of the National People's Congress', China's top legislator, say some items in the current draft need urgent revision.

While the draft stipulates fines and cancelled business licenses as punishments for violators, Li Zupei, a member of the NPC Standing Committee, is calling for more severe measures.

"The fines for those who violate the food safety law should be increased. The cost of their illegal deeds should be higher than what they have earned. Where appropriate the punishment should even bring their businesses into ruin."

The tainted-milk incident first came to light in Shijiazhuang, the capital of north China's Hebei province and the local government failed to deal with it adequately.
Therefore, some legislators say the new draft should emphasize the responsibilities of local governments in monitoring food safety procedures.

Meanwhile, Bai Kemin, a member of the NPC Standing Committee, is also urging food companies to take greater responsibility.

"The law should double the fines for those enterprises which deliberately sacrifice customer's health to increase profits."

The first review of the draft started at the end of last year. It's expected to be passed into law after the current review is approved by legislators.