Four mass food poisoning cases were reported during the first six months of this year, down from six during the same period of last year, officials from the Shanghai Food and Drug Administration said during a food safety lecture in Changning District yesterday.

While the FDA is looking into a couple of suspected poisoning cases during the last few weeks, officials said there wasn't a sudden increase during the plum rain season from mid June to July this year as has often been seen in the past.

"Bacterial food poisoning is a common problem in the summer due to high temperatures and humidity. Food box producers and cafeterias in enterprises, especially those on construction sites, are the most likely to have problems," said FDA vice director Xie Minqiang. "We usually received about 10 mass poisoning cases in the plum rain season in previous years. The number dropped greatly this year, due to strict supervision and repeated public education."

To enhance inspection, local food officials changed their work schedule from the day time to night in June, in line with restaurants, butchers and food wholesale businesses.

In the latest confirmed mass food poisoning case, more than 60 migrant workers were sent to hospital after eating lunch and supper at the cafeteria of Xinwei Financial and Trade Building's construction site in Putuo District on April 17.

(Source: www.shanghai.gov.cn )