China Strengthens Supervision of Special Food and Imported Food

On May 20th, 2019, China’s State Council detailed its work program on how to further strengthen supervision of the food industry. Its primary aim is to establish a food safety supervision system based on risk analysis and improved supply chain management by 2020. By 2020 the food sampling qualification rate is expected to reach at least 98%. By 2035, China will basically realize full scale modernization of its national food administration system, which will bring China’s food safety supervisory capacities in line with global best standards.  

Here are some measures that China will take to realize its overall objective:

1. Establish more rigorous regulations

China will expedite the development of general food safety standards involving pesticide and veterinary drug residues, heavy metal, food contaminants, and pathogenic microorganism. The items for pesticide and veterinary drug MRL will be over 10 thousand by 2020.

Additionally the revision to some significant food safety standards will be in priority as well, such as food additives, food related products and food labeling standards.

2. Improve the product quality

Large-scale high-risk food manufactures should take the lead in establishing HACCP system. Additionally, high-risk food commodities will be subject to systematic inspection which only applies to infant formula milk powder currently. Non-compliant use of food additives is also a major target.

3. Revitalize domestic infant formula industry 

China substantially supports the development of its domestic infant formula sector. It encourages merger and acquisition among domestic infant formula enterprises, and advocates establishing self-controlled milk sources. A remarkable improvement in infant formula quality, competitiveness and reputation is targeted within 3 years.

4. Conduct specialized campaigns targeting health food illegal practices 

Illegal practices such as false promotion and counterfeit products are still the focus of health food supervision. The competent authorities will further optimize health food product standards and labeling regulations.

5. Raise the threshold for imported food products

Imported food sampling system, risk control mechanism and traceability mechanism will be further optimized to minimize the risks contributed by imported food products. Additionally, overseas food manufacturers are subject to differential supervision measures under the Customs Credit Management System.

Food safety risk will also be jointly controlled with China’s trade partners through the development of multilateral international information notification and cross-border law enforcement mechanisms.

6. Set up national food traceability platforms 

The competent authorities will set up edible agricultural products traceability platforms at national level and develop food safety traceability standards to optimize traceability through the whole supply chain.

7. Impose more severe punishments on violators 

Food enterprise and persons found violating food regulations may be banned from working within the food industry and can have their credentials/qualifications revoked. Sale of counterfeit food products will also be treated as a criminal offense.