Better late than never

The five-year plan on food and drug safety administration, the first of its kind, comes rather late compared with China's many other development blueprints drawn for the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-10) period.

However, it is no less important. In fact, without doubled efforts to ensure better food and drug safety, the country's achievements in social and economic development will stand diluted.

The State Council recently issued the plan to improve monitoring and law enforcement in food and drug production so as to reduce risks to public safety.