Food monitoring systems unified
Print Edition
A unified tracking system will be built to boost food safety in Shanghai, according to food safety regulations which took effect on March 20. The new regulations are the strictest in the city’s history and also the toughest in China, said officials from Shanghai Food and Drug Administration.
Shanghai has set up preliminary tracking systems for grains, poultry and live-stock products, vegetables, fruit, cooking oil and other items. Among these the tracking systems for pork, baby formula, liquor and locally-produced vegetable are especially sound and complete, said Gu Zhenhua, head of Shanghai Food Safety Federation and also the former deputy director of the Shanghai FDA.
According to the new rules, most food and edible farm products must be registered with this new system, which integrates all existing tracking systems. It has been difficult to track some foods shipped cross-regionally, as well as unlabeled farm products sold in bulk. These problems are expected to be solved by the new rules.
In addition, a system that discloses information about food safety risk assessment and warnings, major food safety accidents and the responsibilities of authorities concerned will be opened to the public.
Monitoring and random quality-check data are two top public concerns. The former covers all foods accessible to the public. It touches on many more samples than random quality checks, which center on foods that are frequently reported for safety issues.
Last year, local food safety watchdogs monitored 13,222 food samples using 380 quality indicators.
The frequency of inspections is also related with testing results. Those with good results will receive fewer spot checks in the future, while producers and sellers found with problems will receive more frequent checks and testing. Food sold through online platforms will also receive more checks.
Citizens can provide tip-offs about food safety violations through the hotline 12331 or directly to food safety watchdogs. They can be rewarded if the tip-offs are proven to be true. Whistleblowers’ personal information is kept confidential.
Authorities also welcome real-name reporting because it is easier to fact-check with the whistleblowers, though many are still afraid of retaliation and choose to stay anonymous, Gu added.
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