2014 food safety guideline issues

(chinadaily.com.cn)

Updated: 2014-06-25

No mercy for illegal activities and crimes

Authorities will continue to crack down on food safety-related crimes in accordance with the law.

Supervision departments and police forces will collaborate to clamp down on illegal operations and crimes.

Local governments will beef up construction of teams for food safety inspections and assign specific tasks to its subordinate organs and personnel. Related departments will work out measures for disposal of food with quality problems and provide technical support for the public security bureau in food safety cases.

A monitoring and early warning system on food safety will be strengthened. Local authorities are urged to increase their readiness, such as make early plans, complete work mechanisms, stock up on emergency supplies and conduct more emergency drills.

Guidance for public opinion

Local authorities will step up publicity efforts on food safety, help consumers learn more about food safety risks and raise their awareness of risk prevention.

A system of information on food safety will be completed and promoted. Major government work in the field and food safety crackdown results will be reported to the public.

Local authorities will also respond to public concerns on food safety issues and are subject to media scrutiny. They will have more interactions on and off the Internet with the public to address concerns and curb rumors.

More inter-departmental cooperation

Cities and counties with good performance in food safety will be deemed demonstration areas.

Local governments will be responsible for food safety supervision and urged to make innovations in monitoring efforts.

A coordination system will be jointly set up by various government departments. They will share information and carry out law enforcement and inspections. Cross-regional cooperation mechanisms on information sharing, legal case investigation and industrial upgrading are also encouraged.

Food safety work will be included in livelihood projects of local governments and given more support. It will also be involved in the annual evaluation of government performances.

A more strict accountability system will be established to punish those who are found in dereliction of duty in major food safety cases.