BEIJING -- President Xi Jinping has underscored the need to implement the "strictest" measures to ensure food safety.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks in an instruction published Thursday.

Noting the impact that food safety has on people's livelihoods and public confidence in the government, Xi called on all authorities to perform their due duty with the people at the forefront of all work.

The reputation of food safety in China is grave, Xi said, adding that there needs to be a more unified, authoritative supervision system as well as supporting regulations.

He said the strongest measures were needed, featuring rigorous standards, strict supervision, serious punishments and an authoritative accountability system.

In a separate instruction, Premier Li Keqiang pledged "zero tolerance" to food safety violations, promising timely and harsh punishment for guilty parties.

He urged government agencies to continue tackling the big issues related to food safety and to remember that the interests of the people were their top priority.

Li also stressed reform and adherence to rule of law in this regard.

The food safety supervision system, Li said, should cover the whole food production process, "from farm to table."

The State Council Food Safety Commission held its third plenary meeting on Thursday. The meeting was presided over by Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, who also heads the commission.

Zhang said supply-side structural reform is needed to improve food safety.