BEIJING - The Ministry of Health said Tuesday that 6,685 people suffered from food poisoning in 2012, with 146 of the victims consequently dying, up 6.6 percent year on year.

The number of cases reported fell by 7.9 percent from the previous year, the ministry said.

The ministry noted that no major cases were reported.

Poisoning due to contact with toxic plants, animals and mushrooms resulted in the largest number of poisoning cases, as well as the greatest number of deaths, the ministry said.

Most poisoning cases and deaths occurred at home, the ministry said.

The ministry has urged health departments at all levels to strengthen supervision and risk evaluations for food poisoning while boosting their ability to cope with emergencies.

The ministry also called for intensified training regarding clinical treatment, epidemiology research and lab examinations.