China will give more efforts to strengthen quality supervision of dairy products in rural areas, said Chen Deming, the minister of commerce, on Wednesday.

"The Ministry of Commerce (MOC) always gives food product supervision in vast rural areas a priority, although it is not an easy job to carry out as in urban areas," said Chen.

Chen said the MOC has urged local authorities to take tangible measures to regulate and stabilize the dairy markets in such areas.

The local governments were asked to launch strict supervision and inspection over dairy products in rural shops, enterprises and wholesale markets. Tainted milk products should be removed from shelves in time.

"The MOC will continue to work together with local governmental organs to ensure a sound market order, and help farmers get more knowledge about dairy products," said Chen.

Meanwhile, Chen noted the country should adopt concrete measures to lift consumer's confidence. "The government should enhance inspection over product quality, while enterprises should take on more social responsibility."

China's food quality has been criticized recently, as 13,000 infants nationwide were hospitalized with kidney problems and at least three were killed after drinking baby formula tainted with melamine. The chemical, which was added illegally, makes the protein content of milk appear higher than it actually is.

After the Sanlu formula's problem exposure, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine conducted a nationwide examination of baby milk powder to find 22 companies whose formulas were tainted.

(Xinhua News Agency October 2, 2008)