BEIJING, July 9 (Reuters) - China risks damaging its international credibility if it does not tackle its food and drug quality problems, the China Daily said on Monday, citing a senior regulatory official.

The safety of China's exports have attracted world attention after improper components caused the deaths of Panamanian patients who took cough syrup and of pets in the United States.

"The food security problems have impeded Chinese agri-products and food many times in international trade, and damaged our national credibility and image," warned Sun Xianze, director of food safety coordination at the State Food and Drug Administration, at a weekend seminar.

The SFDA revoked the production licenses of five drug manufacturers in the last year, and withdrew good manufacturing practice certificates from 128 others, the paper said.

The companies shut down included Qiqihar No. 2 Pharmaceutical Co., following the deaths of 11 people after they took a drug it manufactured.

REUTERS