China's State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) has named and shamed 18 substandard Chinese food brands in a move to better regulate the food market.

According to a market survey of 100 samples of honey products, 46 percent of honey products were not up to national food quality standards, with problems involving excess levels of sucrose and water.

These substandard honey products included Tanxin Hawthorn Honey made by southern Guangzhou Tanshan Bees Products Co., Ltd., Zhenzheng Aloe Honey produced by southern Guilin Zhengpintang Food Co., Ltd. and others.

The SAIC also conducted quality inspections of other foods and revealed that 21 percent of liquor, 10.8 percent of jellies and 10 percent of children's food failed to meet the food quality standards.

The SAIC vowed last month to intensify routine quality checks on grain, liquor, meat, vegetables, dairy products and beverages.

(Xinhua News Agency April 7, 2008)