China's quality watchdog on Wednesday called for enhanced efforts nationwide to ensure the quality of relief products shipped to quake-hit areas.

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) said in a circular local quality agencies should be highly alert to substandard products, food in particular, to get into the localities stricken by the deadly May 12 earthquake.

"As for those companies which use raw materials unsuitable for making edible products to produce food for taking profits, they should be severely punished and their business license would be revoked and not allowed to apply for a new one within three years, " said the circular. It added that grave offenders would bear criminal liabilities.

The AQSIQ urged local agencies to step up quality supervision for drinking water, milk, food and daily necessities.

The quality control authority pointed out that special attention should be given to the disadvantaged by putting greater efforts on the quality check of products for ladies, babies and the disabled.

Last week, China began an investigation into the delivery of 300 substandard quilts padded with substandard used cotton sent to the quake-hit Sichuan Province.

Meanwhile, Chinese quality supervision organs had implemented quick clearance for 565 batches of international quake-relief materials, rescue and medical personnel to the quake zone as of 5:00 PM on Tuesday.

(Xinhua News Agency June 5, 2008)