Villagers holding banquets with more than 40 guests in Zhoukou, Henan province, will have to inform the authorities in advance in a bid to combat food poisoning, it has been reported.

Some critics have said the new policy discriminated against rural residents while others warned it would be difficult to enforce and would have little impact, according to the Dahe Daily newspaper.

Holding outdoor banquets for occasions such as weddings and funerals is customary in rural China. The size of the feasts varies from a few dozen guests to several hundred. Now the authorities will keep records of rural communal banquets and send supervisors to ensure food safety, according to the new directive posted on the Zhoukou municipal government’s website.

The directive requires organisers to report the time and location of the banquet, number of guests and identity of the chefs to officials in charge of food safety one day before the event, if more than 40 guests are expected.