BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The Ministry of Education announced Monday that it will launch a nationwide inspection on food safety at schools for the new spring semester.

The incidence of food poisoning is relatively high in spring, said the circular jointly issued by the general offices of the ministry and the State Administration for Market Regulation at the ministry's website.

Local education departments and market watchdogs were ordered to screen loopholes in food safety control at schools and ensure a notable reduction in food poisoning incidents.

It demanded schools to conduct an internal inspection in areas of food safety management, sanitation, food facilities, raw ingredients as well as health conditions and practices of people who have direct access to the school's food.

Local authorities should conduct spot checks over schools and inspections over suppliers, diners and groceries near schools, it said.

The ministry also encouraged schools to accept supervision from parents and third parties and make public food sources and the procedure of purchasing and processing via the Internet or other channels.