BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Health is urging local education officials to improve food safety in school canteens following a sharp rise in the incidence of food poisoning.

During the second quarter, the ministry received 64 reports of food poisoning incidents in schools, more than four times as many than in the previous quarter. More than 1,950 people were poisoned, seven times more than in the first quarter of the year.

Two people died from food poisoning at schools in the second quarter.

Among the incidents, 46 occurred in school canteens causing 1,400 people to fall ill, said the ministry in a report.

The infections were a result of poor management of canteens, such as purchasing substandard food and poor disinfecting practices.

Local health authorities must enhance supervision and guidance of school hygiene and work to help clean up school canteens, urged the ministry.

A total of 185 food poisoning cases were recorded by the ministry in the second quarter, which affected 5,696 people, killing 64. The figures are slightly lower than the same period last year but significantly higher than the previous quarter.

The ministry warned most food poisoning cases are reported in the third quarter when warmer weather can cause the rapid growth of microbes.

With parts of south China suffering severe flooding, the report urged extra efforts be made to ensure food and water safety in the region. Enditem