The Ministry of Health has been ordered to release a summary from its National Food Safety Standard Raw Milk conference, according to a verdict from Beijing No 1 Intermediate People's Court.

The summary had been requested by a customer who wanted information on raw milk, but the ministry had turned down the request, saying it was beyond what they could release to the public.

The court ruled the ministry's reply was short of facts and legal support, Dahe Daily, a newspaper in Henan province, reported on Oct 22.

In 2010, the country published its new standard on raw milk, after which Zhao Zhengjun, a customer from Zhenzhou, capital of Henan province, asked the ministry for the summary three times.

The ministry said the information that the customer wanted might affect public order and become a burden for social management if it was disclosed, added the report.

On Feb 16, Zhao appealed to Beijing No 1 Intermediate People's Court.