China's top legislator highlights food safety

Zhang Dejiang (2nd R, front), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, talks to a vendor at Tanxihu market to learn about food safety inspection, detection and supervision in Xiangyang, central China's Hubei Province, April 17, 2016. Zhang had an inspection tour to check on the implementation of food safety law in Hubei from April 17 to April 20. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING -- China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang has urged government organs and the food industry to fully enforce and abide by the country's food safety law.

Zhang made the remarks during a four-day law enforcement inspection tour in Central China's Hubei province on food safety law which ended Wednesday.

The top legislator called for stepped up regulations on the use of pesticides and fertilizers and urged food-related enterprises to provide trust-worthy products for "safety is the lifeline of food companies," he said.

Food safety watchdogs, meanwhile, must further improve the timeliness and accuracy in food product inspections, Zhang said.

He stressed that the new food safety law must be fully implemented, and a strict, efficient governance system for food safety should be established.