Little to trust in organic labeling of food
By Feng Jianmin |
October 17, 2011, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
MOST food certified as organic in China falls below required standards because of poor regulation of certification agencies, according to industry insiders.
Wang Hao, who has opened an organic food store in Beijing, said some suppliers "simply change the packaging and turn normal food into organic," the China Times reported.
Wang said he was surprised to find that the procedure to certify organic food is so simple in China, and most so-called organic food failed to comply with standards set by the Ministry of Environment Protection.
The ministry says organic food must be produced without the use of pesticide or chemical fertilizer, and processing, packaging and transport must comply with environment-friendly rules.
But China Times said organic food certificates can be bought cheaply, adding: "Agencies charge companies around 20,000 yuan (US$3,135) for certificates but make no inspections. The certificates can be completed in a month."
China has 25 authorized certification agencies, but the report said most have links with consultancies that advise companies applying for organic food certificates.
There is also a close relationship between certification agencies and testing agencies, it said.
Wang Fuchong, a senior researcher at the Central University of Finance and Economics, said: "The government has issued no unified regulation concerning organic food to local administrations."
Wang Hao, who has opened an organic food store in Beijing, said some suppliers "simply change the packaging and turn normal food into organic," the China Times reported.
Wang said he was surprised to find that the procedure to certify organic food is so simple in China, and most so-called organic food failed to comply with standards set by the Ministry of Environment Protection.
The ministry says organic food must be produced without the use of pesticide or chemical fertilizer, and processing, packaging and transport must comply with environment-friendly rules.
But China Times said organic food certificates can be bought cheaply, adding: "Agencies charge companies around 20,000 yuan (US$3,135) for certificates but make no inspections. The certificates can be completed in a month."
China has 25 authorized certification agencies, but the report said most have links with consultancies that advise companies applying for organic food certificates.
There is also a close relationship between certification agencies and testing agencies, it said.
Wang Fuchong, a senior researcher at the Central University of Finance and Economics, said: "The government has issued no unified regulation concerning organic food to local administrations."
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