The Ministry of Health issued an urgent circular Wednesday warning against any interference in reporting of food poisoning cases while fighting against SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome).
Any institution or individual, who set up barriers to such reporting would be liable to legal sanctions, said the circular.
The ministry said all health authorities across the country should intensify food inspection for students attending the early June college entry examinations.
The ministry also suggested a joint food hygiene program for colleges to improve food management and eliminate potential health problems.
Summer is a high-risk season for food poisoning, the ministry noted.
The ministry on Tuesday criticized the illegal actions of school leaders of a Xi'an college for allegedly trying to cover up a food poisoning outbreak in which 167 students were sickened.
A local private vocational school in eastern China's Fujian province also allegedly tried to cover up an outbreak of food poisoning on May 26 that affected 36 students.
(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2003)
