China arrests 2,000 suspects, closes 4,900 businesses in food safety overhaul

BEIJING, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- China has arrested approximately 2,000 suspects and shut down more than 4,900 businesses for illegal practices during a national campaign launched in April to crack down on illegal additives in food.

Agricultural, industrial, commercial, quality control and food authorities in their coordinated efforts have as of Sunday inspected 5.92 million food or additives manufacturers and catering businesses, according to a statement issued Wednesday by the Food Safety Commission under the State Council.

The police have investigated 1,200 criminal cases concerning the illegal adding of non-edible materials in food and destroyed a series of underground sites for illegal production, storage and processing of food products.

The statement said government agencies across the country will continue the fight against irregularities to safeguard food, and violators will be severely punished.