Food poisoning kills 46 in Q3, China

As many as 46 people were killed and another 1,969 made ill by food-poisoning incidents in China in the third quarter of 2013, according to a statement released on Wednesday by China's health watchdog. The number indicated an 8-percent and 17.3-percent reduction respectively in comparison with the same period of last year, said the statement from the National Health and Family Planning Commission. Microbiological food poisoning was behind most of the cases, accounting for 55.8 percent of the total 61 such incidents reported in the quarter, according to the statement. The commission asked local food safety inspection authorities to coordinate with education and tourism departments in order to enhance supervision at dining halls in schools and scenic spots, which have both proved to be hotspots for food poisoning scandals. It also urged them to educate the public on food safety so as to improve their awareness.