The safety of food and drinking water being delivered to the quake-hit area in northwest China must be ensured to prevent the occurrence of food- and water-borne diseases, a notice issued by the Ministry of Health on Saturday says.

The notice urges the food and drinking water safety be strictly scrutinized at quake victims' temporary shelters and at the venues relief supplies are delivered.

The ministry also requires frequent supervision of water quality at water supply factories, pipe networks and water delivery venues.

The ministry also urged the enhancement of public education relating to food and water safety, including making quake-affected residents aware they should not eat rotten food or buy unpackaged cooked meat or cold meat from peddlers.

The ministry also urged the enhancement of local resident's awareness of the importance of drinking fully-boiled water and properly using drinking-water disinfection products.

The ministry has dispatched experts to quake-hit areas to direct food and water safety work.

(Xinhua News Agency April 17, 2010)