We must take the Food Safety Law as the criterion, impose severe penalties to tackle disorder, increase the intensity of punishment, effectively address the problem of low costs for violations, make lawbreakers pay a high price, and truly create a deterrent effect.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
For prominent food safety incidents, regardless of which region they occur in or which department is involved, accountability must be enforced. — Li KeqiangArtikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
According to a Xinhua News Agency dispatch yesterday, Li Keqiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Vice Premier of the State Council, and Director of the State Council Food Safety Commission, attended the national teleconference on the special campaign to severely crack down on illegal addition and abuse of food additives and delivered a speech. He emphasized that prominent problems affecting food safety must be effectively resolved.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
Li Keqiang said that food issues are no small matter, and ensuring safety is a major matter. This directly concerns the people's health and life safety, as well as the overall situation of economic and social development. Some prominent food safety incidents that have recently occurred and been investigated are related to the abuse or illegal use of additives in food production and operation, and the public is highly concerned about this. The rectification of illegal food addition must be taken as an important entry point for ensuring food safety, tracing sources, and strengthening whole-process management.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
Li Keqiang emphasized that illegal food addition is highly harmful, and once a problem occurs, it has a broad social impact and can easily trigger chain reactions, so it must be taken with the utmost seriousness. We must take the Food Safety Law as the criterion, impose severe penalties to tackle disorder, increase the intensity of punishment, effectively address the problem of low costs for violations, make lawbreakers pay a high price, and truly create a deterrent effect. Once illegal addition is discovered, it must be investigated and handled quickly, problematic products must be sealed off immediately, production and business operations must be ordered to suspend, and severe economic penalties must be imposed. For intentional addition, licenses must be revoked without exception, equipment must be confiscated, and enterprise heads must no longer engage in the relevant food industry.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
■ ReleaseArtikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
General Standards for Food Additives to Be Issued Within the YearArtikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
Gutter oil, clenbuterol, dyed steamed buns, beef extract... Recently, food safety problems have occurred frequently, arousing great concern from all sides. Yesterday, the General Office of the State Council issued the Notice on Severely Cracking Down on Illegal Food Addition and Effectively Strengthening the Supervision of Food Additives (hereinafter referred to as the Notice), which will severely crack down on various illegal acts endangering food safety, including illegal addition, and requires the Ministry of Health to formulate national standards for new varieties of food additives.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
>> SalesArtikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
Eliminate Black Dens Storing Illegal AdditivesArtikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
The Notice requires that industry and commerce departments supervise food additive sellers in establishing and strictly implementing systems for incoming inspection and sales ledgers, and severely investigate and punish unlicensed operations and the illegal sale of counterfeit and inferior food additives.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
In addition, the Notice requires close monitoring and resolute crackdown on the sale of illegal food additives through the Internet and other means. For key areas such as rural areas, urban-rural fringe areas, and county fringe areas, as well as key locations such as factory buildings, workshops, and warehouses rented out by enterprises, temporary urban buildings, and rented private houses, all localities must organize regular investigations, promptly discover and thoroughly eliminate “black dens” illegally manufacturing and storing illegal additives, and resolutely destroy underground sales channels.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
>> UseArtikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
Strictly Supervise Units Using Additives Such as Hot Pot RestaurantsArtikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
While cracking down on illegal addition, the Notice requires strengthening supervision over the use of food additives.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
The Notice requires the Ministry of Health and the State Food and Drug Administration to formulate as soon as possible regulations on the use of food additives in the catering service sector, clarify the varieties of food additives permitted for use, guide catering service units to standardize the use of food additives, and prohibit false publicity or deception of consumers.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
In addition, the State Food and Drug Administration must focus on strengthening supervision over the use of food additives by catering units providing services such as hot pot, self-made beverages, and self-made seasonings.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
>> SupervisionArtikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
Establish Special Funds to Reward WhistleblowersArtikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
Given that public opinion is a necessary means of supervision, the Notice further requires strengthening social oversight. It clearly states that local governments at all levels must establish and improve a food safety reward reporting system, set up special reward funds, improve working mechanisms, designate specialized departments to take responsibility, effectively implement rewards for whistleblowers, protect the lawful rights and interests of whistleblowers, and encourage internal personnel of production and operation units to report.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
At the same time, the Notice proposes that, in light of local realities, measures for the management of food safety information officers and auxiliary prevention officers be formulated, and the building of food safety information officer and auxiliary prevention officer teams be strengthened.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
Regarding the media, which plays an important role in public opinion supervision, the Notice states that active support should be given to news media in public opinion supervision, problems disclosed by the media should be seriously investigated, social concerns should be responded to in a timely manner, and investigated and handled food safety cases should be made public. At the same time, false news must be cracked down on, and those who fabricate false news causing social panic must be seriously held accountable.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
According to the requirements of the Notice, local governments at or above the county level are uniformly responsible for and lead the work of cracking down on illegal addition and abuse of food additives within their administrative regions, must take this as a priority in food safety work, with principal leaders personally overseeing it and responsible leaders directly in charge. In addition, supervisory departments must increase the intensity of accountability and pursue responsibility in accordance with law and discipline for dereliction of duty and malfeasance.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
>> StandardsArtikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
Food Additive Standards to Be IssuedArtikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
There will be a timetable for the issuance of food additive standards. The Notice requires the Ministry of Health to formulate national standards for new varieties of food additives, and by the end of 2011, to formulate and publish general safety standards for compound food additives and labeling standards for food additives.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
For food additives that currently have no national standards, relevant enterprises or industry organizations may, in accordance with relevant provisions, apply to designate product standards by referring to international organizations or relevant national standards, and the Ministry of Health, together with relevant departments, must accelerate the designation of food additive standards. The Ministry of Health and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine must formulate and issue relevant measures as soon as possible to ensure proper linkage between production licensing and supervision before the completion of standard designation.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
>> Self-disciplineArtikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
Establish Food Enterprise Safety Credit Files Within the YearArtikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
In the process of food safety supervision, food enterprises play a crucial role. The Notice requires strengthening corporate integrity and self-discipline, and proposes that by the end of 2011, all regulatory departments establish food safety credit files for all food production and operation entities according to their systems.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
At the same time, industry organizations such as food and food additives must truly shoulder the responsibility of industry self-discipline, actively organize enterprises to carry out self-inspection, self-correction, and internal supervision, strengthen industry supervision and training, promptly discover problems existing in the industry, and those that fail to discover and report them in a timely manner must be criticized in a notice. Our reporter Sun QianArtikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
■ InterpretationArtikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
Use of Additives in the Catering Industry Has Been Made StricterArtikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
According to Associate Professor Zhu Yi of the College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering at China Agricultural University, the main problems currently existing in the real-world use of food additives are treating illegal additives as food additives and using food additives beyond permitted levels and scope. She said that the document on food additives issued by the General Office of the State Council this time focuses on three aspects.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
First, it makes the regulations on the use of food additives in the catering service sector stricter, whereas previously there was a lack of standards for additive use in the catering industry. The "one-drop fragrance" and beef extract that have recently been heavily reported by the media are prominent examples. In fact, although enterprises large and small in China currently produce more than a thousand kinds of flavorings, there are only more than 40 national standards, and the lack of relevant standards has led to blind spots in supervision. This document also focuses on solving this problem.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
Second, it pays attention to the issue of labeling. The many varieties of food additives on the market mostly indicate dosage in the packaging instructions, but their chemical components are rarely all listed. The intellectual property protection issue involved here may be something relevant departments have not noticed.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
Third, it promises to formulate and publish general safety standards for compound food additives by the end of 2011. So-called compound food additives are composite substances made by combining several food additives according to a certain processing technology and then added to food to meet people's requirements for food quality, taste improvement, or processed food. In this process, greater attention needs to be paid to the safety and stability of additives after compounding, and reasonable hygiene standards must be formulated to avoid food safety accidents.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
Our reporter Wang WeiweiArtikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
■ ResponseArtikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
Ministry of Health Denies That Food Safety Standards Are Looser Than AbroadArtikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
Recently, some media reported that “China's food safety standards differ internally and externally, and are looser than those abroad.” Yesterday, the Ministry of Health issued an announcement stating that food standards in countries around the world do indeed differ, that China's standards are basically consistent with international standards, and that enterprises are encouraged to formulate enterprise standards stricter than national standards according to the needs of international competition.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
Data show that for many years the pass rate of China's food exports has remained above 99.8%, while the pass rate of domestically sold food has been above 90%. Although the gap is only nine percentage points, it exposes the awkwardness of “internal and external differences” in food safety standards.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
The Ministry of Health stated that each country has formulated specific food safety standards based on the results of food safety risk assessment, differences in food consumption and dietary structure, and the actual situation of production and operation. Differences in standards objectively exist and have scientific basis. Chinese enterprises may, according to market competition needs or to help establish a corporate image, formulate enterprise standards and management systems stricter than national standards, and the state encourages enterprises in this regard. Differences between different countries and between national standards and enterprise standards are objective circumstances and will exist for a long time.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
Previously, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that heavy metals such as arsenic and lead contained in Nestle infant complementary foods did not exceed Chinese standards. “Whether China's food safety standards are looser than foreign standards” has long been one of consumers' confusions about food safety.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
In response, the Ministry of Health stated that after joining the WTO, China's food safety standard work has gradually aligned with international practices. Taking standards for limits of contaminants in food as an example, the conformity rate of China's standards with the items and index values of the Codex Alimentarius standards exceeds 70%. It is worth noting that comparisons of standards among different countries should be comprehensive and objective, and should not be based only on individual standards or individual indicators. For example, substances such as ractopamine and benzoyl peroxide that are permitted for use abroad are prohibited varieties in China. Overall, China is gradually cleaning up and improving a unified food safety standard system in accordance with the requirements of the Food Safety Law, and it basically conforms to or approaches Codex Alimentarius standards.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
Our reporter Wang WeiweiArtikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
■ Beijing ConnectionArtikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
Guo Jinlong: Use Food Work to Measure the Level of Government WorkArtikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
Yesterday afternoon, this municipality held a special work meeting on cracking down on illegal food addition and abuse of food additives.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
Guo Jinlong pointed out that all departments and all districts and counties must take strengthening food safety as an important task in improving people's livelihood and as an important symbol for measuring the level of government work. Guo Jinlong required that the special work of cracking down on illegal food addition and abuse of food additives be taken as a breakthrough and driving force, that scientific testing and whole-process supervision be adhered to, that comprehensive governance of urban-rural fringe areas be strengthened, and that administrative accountability be intensified.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/
Regarding the supervision of food additives in this city, Ji Wei, Director of the Food Division of the Beijing Municipal Administration for Industry and Commerce, introduced that at present, Beijing's industry and commerce authorities mainly control the abuse of food additives through sampling inspections. The Beijing Municipal Administration for Industry and Commerce conducts regular and irregular sampling inspections of various foods. When it is found that merchants use additives in violation of regulations, they are required to remove the non-compliant food from shelves, and the matter is reported to the quality supervision department. A review by reporters found that in the weekly lists of removed food products published by the Beijing Municipal Administration for Industry and Commerce, substances such as sodium cyclamate, tartrazine, sunset yellow, carmoisine, and sodium saccharin have all been detected.Artikel berasal dariFOFCC-http://fofcc.org.cn/ms/11308/