A range of new measures are to be introduced by the municipal health bureau to improve the Shenzhen City's food safety.

They include checks on pesticide residues through to new canteens for industrial workers and increased checks on premises.

Shenzhen's municipal health bureau will begin checking restaurants with areas ranging from 150 to 300 square meters and canteens accommodating 300-800 diners later this month.

Restaurants and canteens passing the inspection will be given different rankings according to quality and service.

The health bureau will finalize a pesticide training program for large restaurants and canteens later in the year. The training includes basic knowledge of pesticides and measures to control pesticide residues. In addition, kitchenware sterilization rate must reach 87 percent and 98 percent of restaurant workers must possess health permits.

According to the plan, the health authority will also close unlicensed eateries around industrial parks and open more canteens on the city's industrial parks.

The city has 857 industrial parks, housing 23,871 enterprises. Half of them had canteens by the end of last year, offering places for 3.08 million diners, accounting for 70 percent of their workforce. This year more canteens will be built, to cater for 80 percent.

The health authorities will tighten inspections on school canteens and close unlicensed eateries within 200 meters of schools.

In addition, the bureau will set up 16 quality supervision points in farm markets, supermarkets, restaurants and canteens to test vegetables, frozen and fried foods, cooked foods, meat and fish products, and eggs.

(Shenzhen Daily April 12, 2007)