BEIJING - China has detected 15,000 cases of substandard food and shut down 5,700 unlicensed businesses since the beginning of 2012, as it continues its efforts to improve food safety.

The State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) on Wednesday said at a press conference that the irregularities were discovered after authorities across the country launched 9.97 million inspections on food businesses, which included wholesalers and sellers at market fairs.

Dairy products, edible oils, seasonal foods and alcoholic beverages were among the major food categories targeted during the inspections.

Li Yujia, deputy head of the SAIC's food bureau, said that the SAIC will continue to step up checks on sectors, including dairy products, food additives and edible oils.

The Chinese public has become increasingly concerned over food safety after a slew of scares - from melamine-tainted baby formula products to pork contaminated with clenbuterol - exposed the vulnerability of the country's food sector.