A series of food safety scandals in recent years has alerted people to the dangers inherent in what they consume. The issue is expected to top the agenda during the annual NPC and CPPCC sessions - the country's top-level political events - starting from March 5 and March 3, respectively.

Last year, melamine-tainted milk killed six babies and made nearly 300,000 other infants sick. This month, more than 80 people fell ill in Guangdong province after consuming pig organs contaminated with an illegal feed additive. The latest incident has re-ignited the topic.

In fact, food and drug safety has surpassed other pressing issues, such as medical reform, employment and housing, among China's populace. It has become the No 2 concern for the public, only next to corruption, according to an ongoing survey on the People's Daily website.