Nationwide battle to keep food safe
Source: Xinhua |
May 16, 2011, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
FROM 24-hour complaint hotlines to instant additive detectors, local governments in China are striving to battle the illegal use of food additives following a string of food scandals.
According to a statement issued by the office of the food safety commission under the State Council, governments in Shanghai, Beijing, Zhejiang and Guangdong have incorporated the local food safety situation into the evaluation of officials' work, while ordering strengthened and coordinated food safety supervision at both city and county levels.
Many provinces and autonomous regions are distributing educational information via the local media to promote awareness of food safety and the harm of banned food additives, stressing severe punishment in the hope of intimidating potential violators.
Law enforcement departments in Chongqing, Guangdong, Liaoning and Hunan have punished violators involved in a series of food scandals which included poisonous bean sprouts and dyed peppers, according to the statement.
Meanwhile, governments are figuring out new measures to stem food violations. For instance, the provincial government of northeastern Jilin has set up round-the-clock hotlines for food safety complaints and recruited 1,300 voluntary supervisors.
Supervisors in the southern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region have been equipped with additive detecting devices, said to be able to check 27 kinds of illegal food additives "quickly and correctly."
The municipal government of Beijing stipulates that companies found to have committed food violations in the past would be limited in investing in the municipality, while principals responsible for the wrongdoings will be banned from food manufacturing and distribution businesses.
Beijing also requires restaurants to inform customers of all food additives contained in their self-made beverages and food sauces by posting the lists in menus or other public places. The lists should also be reported to supervisory departments.
The Ministry of Agriculture has sent teams to various regions to inspect local food safety conditions.
Vice Premier Li Keqiang warned last month of the great harm caused by illegal additives in food during a high-profile national meeting, promising a "firm attitude, iron-handed measures and more efforts" in dealing with the problem.
A nationwide fight against the illegal use of additives in food was then launched to intensify supervision, upgrade safety standards and increase penalties.
The moves came following a series of scandals including steamed buns dyed with unidentified chemicals, as well as the use of illegal cooking oil, known as "swill oil."
(Xinhua)
According to a statement issued by the office of the food safety commission under the State Council, governments in Shanghai, Beijing, Zhejiang and Guangdong have incorporated the local food safety situation into the evaluation of officials' work, while ordering strengthened and coordinated food safety supervision at both city and county levels.
Many provinces and autonomous regions are distributing educational information via the local media to promote awareness of food safety and the harm of banned food additives, stressing severe punishment in the hope of intimidating potential violators.
Law enforcement departments in Chongqing, Guangdong, Liaoning and Hunan have punished violators involved in a series of food scandals which included poisonous bean sprouts and dyed peppers, according to the statement.
Meanwhile, governments are figuring out new measures to stem food violations. For instance, the provincial government of northeastern Jilin has set up round-the-clock hotlines for food safety complaints and recruited 1,300 voluntary supervisors.
Supervisors in the southern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region have been equipped with additive detecting devices, said to be able to check 27 kinds of illegal food additives "quickly and correctly."
The municipal government of Beijing stipulates that companies found to have committed food violations in the past would be limited in investing in the municipality, while principals responsible for the wrongdoings will be banned from food manufacturing and distribution businesses.
Beijing also requires restaurants to inform customers of all food additives contained in their self-made beverages and food sauces by posting the lists in menus or other public places. The lists should also be reported to supervisory departments.
The Ministry of Agriculture has sent teams to various regions to inspect local food safety conditions.
Vice Premier Li Keqiang warned last month of the great harm caused by illegal additives in food during a high-profile national meeting, promising a "firm attitude, iron-handed measures and more efforts" in dealing with the problem.
A nationwide fight against the illegal use of additives in food was then launched to intensify supervision, upgrade safety standards and increase penalties.
The moves came following a series of scandals including steamed buns dyed with unidentified chemicals, as well as the use of illegal cooking oil, known as "swill oil."
(Xinhua)
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