Animal feed and feed additive companies are obliged to immediately recall products upon discovery of any defect that may result in harm to animals or people, a draft regulation made public Saturday said.

The draft of a revised regulation on the administration of animal feed and feed additives is designed to meet increased public demand for better animal product food quality and safety, according to the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council, China's cabinet.

The office and the Ministry of Agriculture jointly drafted the revised regulation. It is now open to public comment.

Producers should immediately cease production and sales of defective products, recall the products and report the situation to relevant administrative authorities, the draft said.

The draft also imposes tougher punishment for abusive use of animal feed or feed additives.

Animal farming businesses may be fined as much as 50,000 yuan if they are found to have uses feed or feed additives forbidden or not included in the catalogue of approved items, the draft said.

The public is invited to comment on the draft before March 15 through online postings, email or letter.

The draft is available on the official website of the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council, www.chinalaw.gov.cn.

The current Regulations on Administration of Animal Feed and Feed Additives took effect in May 1999, and was amended in Nov. 2001.