China to blacklist illicit food, drug makers

China will blacklist producers of illicit food, drugs, medical appliances and cosmetics, according to a draft regulation published on Thursday. Information on producers who "have seriously violated laws and regulations concerning food, drugs, medical appliances and cosmetics management and received administrative penalties" will be made public through government websites, says the draft regulation, which was issued by the China Food and Drug Administration. The draft, published at www.chinalaw.gov.cn of the State Council Legislative Affairs Office, will be open to public comments until Jan. 10, 2014. Food producers who have used raw materials, additives and related products that cannot meet food safety standards, or added drugs into food, among other serious cases, will be ordered to stop production, have their licenses revoked and be blacklisted, according to the regulation. It says those who give the penalties should be responsible for publicizing the information about the illicit producers and products on government websites within 15 working days after imposing the penalties. Food and drug watchdogs should also increase spot checks on the blacklisted products and toughen supervision, the draft says, adding those blacklisted will be "severely punished" if they break laws and regulations again.