China to introduce more rules on food safety amid health scares

China will implement tighter controls on animal feed to secure animal health and "restore public confidence in food safety," state media reported. According to draft regulations issued by the State Council Legislative Affairs Office, farmers could face fines of renminbi 50,000 (US$7,320) for "improper" use of feed and feed additives or adding illegal substances such as melamine or clenbuterol, a chemical used to prevent pigs from accumulating fat but is fatal when consumed by humans. The rules also state that animal feed and and feed additives must be recalled immediately upon any defect being discovered. China has again been wracked with food safety scandals following the reemergence of melamine-tainted milk products two years after the 2008 milk scandal that caused the deaths of 6 infants.