Gutter oil makers targeted

BEIJING - Producers and sellers of "gutter oil", or illegally recycled cooking oil, could face the death penalty, China's top court reaffirmed on Thursday.

The reaffirmation is the country's latest effort to crack down on a cause of public concern over food safety in the world's most populous country.

"Courts should fully consider suspects' subjective intention, the amount of money involved and the harm that has been done to the public and the market," read a circular issued on Thursday by the Supreme People's Court, China's top court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the top prosecuting body, and the Ministry of Public Security.