U.S. foodmaker H.J. Heinz Co. said late Tuesday it will tighten controls over ingredients suppliers in China after it was forced to recall some infant food products from Chinese store shelves due to excess levels of lead.

    The company, known globally for its ketchup and baked beans, made the announcement as it sought to contain the potential damage to its reputation in a country where consumers are highly sensitive to food safety after a series of high-profile scares.

    Heinz said Monday that it had recalled four batches of its AD Calcium Hi-Protein Cereal for infants.

    Supply chains issues in China have come under increased scrutiny, with Yum Brands, Wal-Mart Stores and McDonald’s all recently facing food safety issues with suppliers.

    Heinz will draft stricter systems for regulating ingredient suppliers and improve traceability and food safety control measures along its supply chain, the U.S. company said Tuesday.

    Affected products had been sealed and would be destroyed under regulator guidance, it added.

    An official at the food and drug administration in Zhejiang province declined to give details on the levels of lead in the Heinz cereal, but said that it would release further information about the case in the coming days.(SD-Agencies)