China's quality and safety watchdog yesterday canceled 621 production permits owned by 564 food companies and revoked the licenses of three others as part of efforts to improve the country's food safety.

Up to 355 permits were canceled because licenses had expired or companies had failed to update them after moving to a new factory or making other major changes, said the state's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

Up to 249 permits were canceled because the plant was closed or had suspended production.

The other 17 permits were canceled as the products failed to meet standards that allow them into the domestic market.

Three food companies from Shijiazhuang City of Hebei Province, Hefei City of Anhui Province and Kaiping City in Guangdong Province lost their production licenses as they "had severely breached relevant laws and regulations," Xinhua said.

The companies produced monosodium glutamate, frozen rice and noodle products.

The administration is stepping up efforts to enforce licensing and health standards for food manufacturers and shut small, substandard producers as domestic and international pressure mounts to improve the nation's food safety.

(Xinhua News Agency September 25, 2007)