53 officials punished for roles they played in melamine milk scandals

BEIJING - A total of 53 officials who were partly responsible for several recent scandals involving the sale of melamine-tainted milk have been punished as China steps up its efforts to ensure food safety.

Xinhua News Agency reported on Monday that 17 of them were dismissed and others faced various penalties, ranging from demotions to demerits and warnings.

The move followed the sentencing of 14 people convicted of producing or selling tainted milk powder in Shanxi and Hebei provinces on Friday.