BEIJING - A total of 947 criminals have so far been sentenced by Chinese courts for producing and selling poisonous or harmful food, according to a spokesman for the Supreme People's Court (SPC).

Courts have completed more than 730 criminal cases relating to food offences, including clenbuterol and gutter oil, said Yu Housen, at a press conference on Tuesday.

Other figures released showed that since 2008, courts nationwide have completed 3,577,062 cases and given sentences to 4,567,236 criminals.

A total of 357,695 cases consisted of homicides, robberies, kidnappings, gang-related crime or human trafficking, with 558,246 criminals sentenced, Yu added.

"The SPC has urged courts at all levels to set up special offices for litigation, covering complaints, litigation guidance, risk warning and queries about cases," Yu said.

Courts at all levels reduced or slowed payment of litigation expenses, worth more than 13 billion yuan, Yu added.

Between 2009 and 2011, courts nationwide helped 12,978 victims of crime, and allocated more than 230 million yuan ($36.83 million) in relief funds to them or their familiy members.