Food and drug safety-related crimes will be given severe punishment in Shanghai, according to the Shanghai High People's Court.

The court pronounced judgment on eight food and drug cases on Thursday in which 18 defendants received sentences from six months to six-and-a-half years in prison, and were fined 1,000 to 800,000 yuan ($160 to 128,000).

They were found guilty on six charges, including selling counterfeit drugs, selling false products, illegal operation, using fake trademarks, selling products with fake trademarks, and selling illegally made trademarks, according to the court.