China's Supreme Court issued a written announcement on Wednesday stating that from Oct. 1, stiffer punishment will be imposed on anyone who manufactures and sells food products that is unfit for human consumption. The stern warning is meant to discourage erring businessmen from sacrificing their customers' health for profit.

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Xinhua reported that the harsher punishments were included in the country's regulation on food safety that was amended about four months ago.

The document highlilghts the responsibility of online food sellers to their customers. Under the new laws, even those indirectly involved in the selling of tainted food products will be held accountable. China's judiciary also reiterated that guilty parties need to pay their victims for the wrong they have committed.

The amendments increase the administrative, civil, and criminal liabilities of guilty parties. People found guilty of wrongding will now be required to pay a maximum fine of 3,000 percent of the value of the tainted food. Currently, the highest payment required is 1,000 percent.

Property owners, who are aware that their renters are engaging in such unlawful acts, as well as those who knowingly provide harmful substances for use in food production, will also face punishment.

Authorities are hoping that tougher food laws will put a stop to the sale of unwholesome food. China has experienced a series of tainted food cases over the years ranging from milk mixed with the deadly chemical melamine to liquor mixed with the sex-enhancing drug Viagra.

Chinese authorities have filed cases against more than 600 government officials who allegedly permitted the distribution of unsafe food items unknowing to the public.

The charges leveled against the erring officials include bribery, gross neglect and the usurpation of their authority. Authorities have also imposed stricter rules with regards to the approval and use of certain additives in the preparation of food items in order to prevent collusion among suppliers and manufacturers.

Even well-known companies have been affected by unsafe food issues. American fast food chain McDonald's and retail store chain Wal-Mart have been investigated by Chinese authorities regarding such incidents.

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