March 31, 2011

 

 

To legally sell dairy products, retailers in China must apply for new operating licenses or renew their old ones by the end of July or face punishment, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce has announced.

 

Starting in April, dairy retailers will be required to apply for one of two types of licenses. One will allow them to sell dairy products that contain baby formula and the other will allow them to sell formula-free dairy products, the administration said Monday (Mar 28).

 

Retailers that sell infant formula without a proper approval will be punished, according to the regulations.

 

The central government has tightened its supervision of food products in response to public concerns over food safety, which have grown more intense following discoveries of the toxic substance melamine in baby formula in 2008 and, more recently, of illegal additives in pork.

 

Among the foods of most concern to safety inspectors are dairy products, edible oils, meats, health foods, food additives and liquors, according to a statement released this month by the Office of the Food Safety Commission under the State Council.

 

The licensing requirement for dairy retailers is the latest step in China's campaign to ensure the safety of its food supply.

 

"I hope the licensing will act as the last line of defense against toxic milk products," said Dong Jinshi, executive vice-president of the International Food Packaging Association, a Hong Kong-based non-government organisation.

 

Despite the work, some potentially dangerous milk products still enter the market under the noses of quality inspectors, Dong added.

 

"The new regulations, if successfully put into effect, will push retailers to become more prudent in choosing dairy suppliers because their licenses may be revoked if they sell counterfeit or toxic dairy products."

 

 

Even so, opponents argue that adopting a licensing requirement for a few products will not be enough to ensure the safety of China's food supply.

 

A dairy-industry expert also said the regulations will "have few effects" if they do not apply to online sellers of dairy products, as online shopping has become more and more popular in China.