China's food safety watchdog on Friday issued an online notice specifying the biggest steps that will be taken this year to ensure food safety, particularly in restaurants and delis.

The announcement came out following reports that accused a McDonald's restaurant in Beijing of selling food that should have been thrown away.

The notice, which was issued by the State Food and Drug Administration, said local authorities are required to do more to enforce food safety rules governing restaurant businesses throughout the country and to conduct stricter surveillance of such establishments.