A leader of the State Council, or Cabinet will head the food safety commission to strengthen the country's food safety monitoring system, Health Minister Chen Zhu told China Daily Monday.

The official confirmation came amid media speculation that a vice premier in charge of health work will lead the commission.

The Minister of Health is now under the direct leadership of Vice Premier Li Keqiang.

Chen revealed that the departments of health, quality supervision, industry and commerce administration, state food and drug administration will shoulder different responsibilities within the commission.

The later three will be responsible for the supervision of food production, food circulation and catering services while the health ministry's duty is comprehensive coordination, said Chen.

The Food Safety Law was approved by the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee on February 28 and goes into effect on June 1, 2009.

According to the Food Safety Law, a food safety commission will be set up by the State Council.

(China Daily March 10, 2009)