(XINHUA)

An inspector from the local industrial and commercial bureau checks processed food on the shelves in a supermarket in Hengshui, Hebei Province, on May 28.

A draft amendment to the Food Safety Law had its first reading in the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, on June 23.

According to the bill, consumers can demand much higher compensation and offenders will face fines three times of that before. Administrative penalties will also be imposed on any officials responsible.