China reports less food poisoning deaths in 2013

A total of 109 persons died of food poisoning in China in 2013, a 25.3 percent decrease year-on-year, according to the National Health and Family Planning Commission. In a statement released Thursday, the commission said the number of people suffering from food poisoning last year also reduced by 16.8 percent to 5,559, which were reported in a total of 152 food poisoning cases. Microbiological food poisoning led to most people ill while poisonous animals and plants, including mushroom, was the cause for most of the deaths, it said. In terms of locations, most cases and deaths ocurred at home while public dining halls were where most people fell ill. The commission called for strengthened risk evaluations and prevention, urging local food safety supervisors to intensify monitoring of canteens in schools and work units, banquets in rural areas and agricultural markets. It also ordered more education on preventing food poisoning among the public.