Firms closed down in food safety inspection

Ten people have been arrested and more than 100 companies closed down as officials continue their crackdown on the use of banned animal drugs and toxic pesticides in farm produce.

Agricultural safety inspections have been stepped up to guarantee food quality, a senior agricultural official said yesterday.

Gao Hongbin, vice-minister of agriculture, added that all agricultural wholesale markets in large and medium cities will be under surveillance by the end of the year.