Ensuring the safety of boxed food on bullet trains means there will be more strict inspections in ingredient purchasing, processing and temperature control during the trip, People's Daily reported on Tuesday.

China Railway said that the so-called "normal temperature chain" boxed meal will be suspended beginning Sept 29 while tighter inspection guidelines and regulations will be used to improve the safety control of boxed meals. Cold-processed boxed food with higher quality will be enriched. 

"Normal temperature" food refers to food packed with multi-layer plastic film, which is processed under high temperature and high pressure with nitrogen packed in.

Most food provided on bullet trains, according to the report, is cold-processed, and its storage temperature is strictly controlled between 0 to 10 degrees Celsius with a shelf life of 72 hours.

Cui Wei, inspector from the State Council, said that "normal temperature" food production uses techs for canned food production, and the key point to safety control is to prevent package damage in logistics and storage.

Two passengers, surnamed Zhu and Xia, were sickened after eating a moldy boxed meal on their way from Beijing to Wuhan, Hubei province on Sept 8, which provoked the public's concern regarding food safety.

The moldy food was sealed up for inspection and China Railway imposed strict measures on food safety check-up and control.