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 on Monday.

The announcement confirms media speculation that a vice premier in charge of health work will lead the commission.

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

"The commission will be supervised by various departments and the Ministry of Health will be responsible for comprehensive coordination," said Chen.

The departments of health, agriculture, quality supervision, industry and commerce administration will shoulder different responsibilities, according to Xinhua.

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 9, 2009)