June 1, 2009

 
China vows to ensure food safety with implementation of new law

Chinese authorities Sunday (May 31) pledged to use the new Food Safety Law as a platform to intensify monitoring and law enforcement, hoping to curb the repeated food scandals that have dented the industry's reputation and consumer confidence.

The law, approved by China's legislature three months ago, will go effective on June 1 to replace the current Food Hygiene Law.

With the aim of enhancing the efficiency of the food safety monitoring network, the new law will introduce tougher standards and strict supervision, a recall system for substandard products as well as severe punishment for offenders.

The different state departments of health, agriculture, quality supervision, industry and commerce administration have made plans for the implementation of the law.

The Ministry of Health, the leading authority to coordinate the law implementation, has drafted at least three supplementary government rules to regulate the establishment of food safety standards, management of new products and the control of food safety risks.

According to China’s Health Minister Chen Zhu, the country will set up two national panels of experts to oversee safety standards and safety risk control while a national risk control center will be established to improve the level of safety evaluation, detection of toxic ingredients and risk precaution.

He said China hopes to complete a national surveillance network of food safety in two years’ time, which will be based on disease control and medical service networks. He added that some old rules that are contradictory to the new law will be abolished or revised.

Prior to the passing of the new law, the Ministry of Health has conducted nationwide campaigns to crack down on illegal use of uncertified additives into food products since December last year.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture, which is responsible for monitoring the safety of farm products, has been devising regulations on the proper use of feed, feed additives, pesticide and the quarantine of animals, said deputy minister Chen Xiaohua.

China's State Administration for Industry and Commerce vowed to enhance its supervision of food circulation market, particularly food retailers who are asked to ensure the safety of sold food.
 

Bian Zhenjia, deputy head of the State Food and Drug Administration, said the department would raise the awareness in the catering industry to ensure food safety through various steps such as a new certification system for restaurants which will take effect on June 1.