Officials say manufacturers should keep complete records of their production and sales processes, to help find any traces of illegal additives. The latest rule was handed down in a statement jointly issued by the State Council Food Safety Committee, along with eight other ministries and bureaus.

Firms that falsify documents will be suspended. Non-edible materials likely to be used in food are banned from production and sales without official certificates as well. The text concludes these ingredients, including items banned in animal feed and drinking water, should not be sold to food companies.