February 28, 2013

China bans online purchase of milk powder

China will ban online purchases of milk powder under the country's revised food safety regulations, with effect from April 1, 2013.

Beijing Municipal Bureau of Commerce and Industry currently consults five supporting documents through its official website.

The provisions of a draft document require that all food vendors in Beijing must first obtain a food distribution license. The license will expire after a period of three years.

Food items will come under three categories, including pre-packaged foods, bulk foods, and dairy products, including infant formula milk powder.

"Online purchases of milk powder are risky and can get out of control," said a bureau spokesman, "It is especially hard to trace online purchases of overseas infant formula products."

According to requirements of the draft, online, television or telephone retailers should publish their business names, contact information, food distribution license numbers, as well as other identifying information.

In the event of violations, the offending food vendor's information and details of offence will be released to the public.