Restaurants in China have been required to display in "prominent positions" notices of their food safety levels, which are rated by regulators, according to an announcement by the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA).

The SFDA said in a statement posted on its website that it will assess the food safety levels of all catering service providers, including restaurants, fast food outlets, beverage stores, and canteens.

The ratings will be categorized into two types, both with three levels. The first is the "dynamic" rating, the result of the latest food safety inspection by regulators, while the second type is an annual rating made in accordance with the results of all inspections in the last 12 months.

Large-scale restaurants, canteens in schools and colleges, government departments and enterprises employing more than 500 people, chain catering enterprises, and catering operations in tourist attractions will be the focus of the SFDA's work, according to the statement.

Lists of restaurants found not abiding by the regulations or altering their food safety level signs by themselves will be published in the media or on regulators' websites.