The former director of China’s State Food and Drug Administration was executed Tuesday, after have been convicted of corruption.

Zheng Xiaoyu, once the top official in the State Food and Drug Administration in China, was executed Tuesday morning, after having been convicted of corruption six weeks ago. The Supreme people’s Court approved the death sentence he received on May 29, Xinhua news agency reported.

Zheng, 63, was convicted by a Beijing court of “taking bribes and dereliction of duty.” He was also accused of having taken bribes, in cash and gifts, amounting to over 6.49 million yuan ($850,000).

He approved improperly tested pharmaceutical products that led to the death of at least 10 persons that took an antibiotic approved by Zheng. He was the head of the agency for seven years.

Government legal experts consider the harsh measure to have a “strong warning effect” for others tempted to follow Zheng’s example. It is also proof that the ruling Communist Party wishes to eradicate corruption, especially at high levels.

The court said the death sentence was appropriate because of the “huge amount of bribes involved and the great damage inflicted on the country and the public.”

USA health officials have recently banned a number of products manufactured in China, including contaminated toothpaste and seafood.

“Corruption in the food and drug authority has brought shame to the nation,” Yan Jiangying, deputy policy director of the State Food and Drug Administration said at a press conference in Beijing. “What we'll have to learn from the experience is to improve our work to emphasize the protection of public safety.”

At least 30 other persons were reportedly involved in the scandal with Zheng, including high-ranking officials and Zheng's wife and son.