A senior official of the food and drug safety watchdog said yesterday that the country was on high alert against unscrupulous practices as the global financial crisis impacts the country's economy.

Speaking at a national meeting on supervision and management of food and drug in Beijing, Shao Mingli, director of the State Food and Drug Administration, said food and drug safety has close relation with overall economic and social development.

Conflicts and disputes arising out of some companies' regroupings or mergers and acquisitions might affect production and quality management, he said.