Moves to better protect the public

Departments and ministries under the State Council, China's Cabinet, have responded to a series of public concerns in the past week including supervision over infant formula, normal college construction and the judicial examination reform.

Zhang Jing, a China Food and Drug Administration official in charge of food supervision, said at the administration's media conference on Jan 16 that the product names and labels on infant formula should be clear and not mislead consumers.

Zhang pointed out that some infant formula product names and labels are exaggerating their benefits, such as claiming that they are conducive to developing children's intelligence, a claim with no scientific basis. Meanwhile, it is inappropriate to use the word "gold" or "silver" in branding or naming infant formula.