China's dairy product makers must obtain new production permits this year

China's top quality regulator said Thursday dairy product markers will have to obtain new production certificates this year, and those with weak quality guarantees will be shut down.

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) announced it would require all the dairy firms and baby formula makers to apply for new production certificates this year.

Companies that fail to obtain new production permits will not be allowed to carry on producing, Zhi Shuping, the AQSIQ chief said at a work conference held in Beijing.

"The requirement aims to improve quality and safety in the dairy industry," Zhi said.

The credibility of China's dairy industry was damaged in 2008 when milk laced with melamine, a chemical added to milk products to make the protein content seem richer, sickened 300,000 children and killed six.

A survey conducted last year by the China Association for Quality suggested Chinese consumers still had very low confidence in the quality of Chinese milk products.

Source: Xinhua