CRITICAL EYE: Food safety is receiving much attention (XINHUA)

Making food safer

A new draft of rules on safety of imported and exported food was put up for public debate in July, according to the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China (AQSIQ). It is the first systematic rules concerning the safety of exported and imported food in China. Director of Department of Legislation of AQSIQ, Liu Zhaobin, said that previously there were only rules concerning a certain type of food products, such as meat and fruit, while new criteria covered more, including the import and export of food additives, grains, and live animals intended for human consumption. The new regulations require all overseas exporters and business agents intending to export food to China have a file-registration at AQSIQ. For first-time food exports, sanitary inspection provided by health administrative departments of the State Council will be obligatory. In addition, in case of contamination or safety problems, inspection and quarantine organizations will have the authority to demand a recall from the exporters. Food safety experts welcomed the draft as it will enhance the Food Safety Law, which took effect in June of 2009.

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