BEIJING -- Chinese police captured more than 8,500 suspects involved in food-related crimes in the first five months this year, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) announced Thursday.

During the period, more than 4,500 criminal cases related to endangering food safety were investigated and over 3,800 illegal factories and workshops were destroyed, said Lyu Wuqin, director of the food and drug crime investigation bureau of the MPS, at a press conference.

"The move has effectively deterred related criminal activities," Lyu said.