China will intensify its crackdown on the use of illegal additives in food, said a circular issued by the General Office of China's State Council, or the cabinet, on Thursday.

Non-edible materials, apart from certified food additives, are banned from use in food.

An upgraded national standard offering guidance for safe use of food additives will be publicized by the end of 2011.

Illicit drugs or materials that jeopardize human health are prohibited in the growing, cultivation, processing, and transportation of agricultural products, according to the circular.

The country will also strengthen the supervision over the production, sale and use of food additives.

Food producers and catering enterprises must not use food additives that bear no standard information as to its manufacturers.

Any enterprise or individual who breach the regulations will face harsh punishments, the circular said.?

Recently, a series of food safety scandals emerged despite Chinese authorities' efforts to revamp the country's food industry.

Last week, steamed buns in Shanghai were reported to have been dyed, past the due by date or laced with coloring additives. Less than a month ago, pork products of China’s largest meat processor were found to contain a toxic additive that stops pigs accumulating fat. In 2008, melamine, a toxic additive that can make milk protein-rich, killed at least six babies and sickened 300,000 others across the country.