BEIJING - Chinese industry and commerce authorities spotted a total of 62,000 cases concerning substandard food in the first 11 months of 2011, underscoring the severity of food safety incidents that have frequently made headlines across the country in recent years.

Authorities stopped the operation of 43,000 unlicensed businesses found to be operating illegally, and revoked the business licenses of 576 operators during the period, according to the State Administration for Industry and Commerce.

A total of 251 cases were handed over to judicial organs during the period, according to a press release issued at a national industry and commerce work conference.

The irregularities were discovered after authorities across the country launched 22.14 million inspections on food businesses, which included wholesalers and market fairs.

Agricultural foods, dairy products, food additives, seasonal foods, edible oils and liquors were among the major food categories targeted during the inspections.

The Chinese public has become increasingly concerned over food safety since a slew of scares -- from melamine-tainted baby formula products to pork contaminated with clenbuterol -- have continued to pose threats to public health.