Whistleblowers seeking more anonymity when giving food safety tip-offs will be eligible for rewards under new city regulations.

Until now, anyone providing a tip-off had to leave their name and contact details to receive a reward.

This initiative is part of efforts to ensure that at least 95 percent of food products in markets and restaurants meet quality standards during random inspections, officials said yesterday.

Last year, whistleblowers shared 746,000 yuan (US$120,500) in 1,396 rewards for providing food safety tip-offs in Shanghai.

This was an increase of nearly 90 percent on 2013, said Xue Mingyang, director of the education, science, cultural and health commission with the city’s legislative body.

Once confirmed, the whistleblower receives a reward of 5 percent of the case value, with a minimum sum of 500 yuan. But they must leave their name and contact details.

Now the city will amend regulations to require fewer personal details from whistleblowers, allowing them to retain more anonymity while still receiving rewards, Xue said.