Public participation will help

"Although the overall situation of food safety remains stable, there are still outstanding problems," said Gu Xiulian. "What the government urgently needs is to further promote food safety laws to improve public awareness."

The SCFSC was created in February 2010 to better implement the food safety laws that took effect in June 2009 and coordinate the country's food safety work.

But a report by Chinese legislators delivered to the NPC's Standing Committee in June showed that, due to a lack of understanding of laws, some food manufacturers continue to act in an underhand and dishonest fashion.

"Through a series of well-organized and impressive educational activities, we hope to truly improve the safety awareness of the whole population and create a good atmosphere with every citizen devoted to safeguarding food safety," Gu said.

The campaign, which will be carried out in communities, villages, schools and enterprises, will showcase the nation's food safety progress, instructing on food safety procedures and promoting food safety laws.

While praising the role played by the country's 120,000 licensed food producers in ensuring food safety, Pu Changcheng appealed to food enterprises to take responsibility.

"The key, or the basis, for promoting the food sector and safeguarding food safety lies with our food producers," Pu said. "Safe food is not gained from supervision, but from safe production.

"We hope these enterprises that are already good demonstrators on safeguarding food safety will continue to play a role in pursuing credibility and self discipline, improving management and promoting the sector's sound development."

The two-day conference attracted more than 600 participants from government departments, research institutes, industry associations and food enterprises.