Shenzhen's health authorities launched a food safety inspection campaign in the city's primary and middle schools yesterday as the new semester commenced.

The inspection campaign, aimed at preventing the occurrence of more cases of food poisoning, and ensuring an efficient system of food safety is in place at the city's primary and middle schools, was launched to urge the schools to hold accountable those responsible for food poisoning incidents in schools, yesterday's Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported.

According to the new regulation jointly issued by the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education at the beginning of this year, if food poisoning occurs in a school or kindergarten, the leaders of the health and education departments as well as the school will be held accountable along with the manager of the school canteen.

The regulation clearly states that the principal of a school is the primary person responsible for food safety and hygiene in the school.

According to the regulation, all staff members of a school canteen must master the basic requirements of food safety and hygiene and undergo an examination every year. The school canteens are not allowed to make cold dishes made of meat and vegetables.

The Futian district government has stepped up the supervision of food safety by putting into place 15 new measures to make residents feel more secure about the food they eat.

(Shenzhen Daily February 14, 2006)