BEIJING, Dec 25 (Reuters) China has jailed six people for their roles in producing and distributing 500 tonnes of toxic salt in a coffin factory, Chinese media reported today, the latest in a series of food health scares to hit the country.

The six were part of a group in the southwestern city of Chongqing that made the salt from fishery or industrial materials, which included lead and barium but lacked essential iodine, the Beijing News said.

The salt had been sold to counties around Chongqing and also to the neighbouring provinces of Sichuan and Guizhou, it said.

It did not say if anyone had fallen ill from the salt.

Food security has become a priority for China after a series scandals over tainted or counterfeit products.

Chinese media last month reported that a northeastern food processor polished up and sold tonnes of rice, some of it 17 years old.

Several years ago, authorities cracked down after discovering rice in eastern China that had been polished with industrial oil to make it more attractive.

Counterfeit milk powder was linked to the death from malnutrition of at least 13 babies in 2004 in the eastern province of Anhui.

Reuters DKA DB1054