China's Ministry of Education urges schools and educational administrations at all levels to carry out an overhaul of dining halls on campuses in a bid to improve sanitation and food safety for students.

Officials with the Ministry of Education pointed out during a press conference on Monday that the ministry had received words of 151 food poisoning cases on campus in the second quarter of this year, among which, 19 cases, or 12.6 percent, took place in on-site dining halls. Compared with such cases in the first quarter, there was an increase of 70 percent, as learned from the Ministry of Health.

The Ministry of Education urges schools to check their water supply facilities like tap water and reservoirs, as well as mineral water available for purchase.

Moreover, the ministry requires that all staff working in dining halls should show their valid health certificates before taking up such a position.

Schools are also being urged to strengthen training efforts so as to raise students' awareness of food safety and to increase their abilities for self-protection.

(CRIENGLISH.com August 28, 2007)