BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) -- China has released an action plan to strengthen food safety in schools from 2020 to 2022.

Food service providers and school principals are required to take responsibility for food safety on campuses, according to the action plan unveiled by the Ministry of Education together with the State Administration for Market Regulation, the Ministry of Public Security and the National Health Commission.

Food service providers should choose eligible suppliers of ingredients, examine purchases in accordance with regulations, accept public scrutiny and release information on ingredients and the food preparation process to schools, market regulators and education authorities, according to the action plan.

It also asked food service providers to make sure that dinnerware and kitchenware are disinfected and sterilized.

Schools should put in place workable plans and self-examining mechanisms for food safety and ensure faithful implementation, the action plan said.

They should urge school officials to accompany students at each school meal, and improve management of food service contractors, it added.

Local authorities should intensify supervision and toughen up penalties for violations, the action plan said, highlighting the supervision of canteens in rural schools and the implementation of the nationwide nutrition improvement program for students of compulsory education stage in the countryside.