China has rolled out a new, comprehensive policy aimed at bolstering oversight across the entire food supply chain, from farms to consumers. The policy, jointly issued by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council, seeks to improve food quality and enhance public health protection through stricter enforcement measures and controls.
The guideline focuses on improving coordination among regulatory bodies and implementing stronger food safety measures throughout production, distribution, and sales stages. A major aspect of the reform includes the establishment of a traceability system for agricultural products, which will enable authorities to track food from farm to market. This system is designed to prevent unsafe products from entering the supply chain while ensuring swift responses to potential safety issues.
Under the new policy, food production and business licensing processes will be subject to more rigorous checks. Producers and distributors must meet heightened standards before being granted licenses, with compliance enforced at both the provincial and local levels.
The policy also addresses traditional food production, requiring these producers to adhere to modern safety standards without compromising cultural practices.
In addition to refining production standards, the guideline focuses on food storage and transportation. New safety protocols for warehouses and logistics companies will ensure that food is stored and transported under controlled conditions to prevent contamination and spoilage.
As online food sales continue to rise, the guideline stresses the accountability of e-commerce platforms and livestreaming hosts selling food products. It calls for increased oversight to strengthen food safety in the growing online market, urging collaborative governance between regulators and online sales entities.
For imported food, the policy introduces a risk management framework to ensure that foreign products meet China’s domestic safety standards. This includes stricter monitoring of food sold through cross-border e-commerce channels.
Recent data from the Ministry of Public Security reveals that 12,000 food safety-related crimes were resolved in 2024. In addition, a recent investigation by The Beijing News exposed troubling practices at several Yangmingyu Braised Chicken and Rice franchise stores in Henan province. Reporters found spoiled mushrooms being used in kitchens and darkened beef being processed with coloring agents for reuse, along with leftover customer food being recycled.
The 2025 CCTV 3.15 Gala also highlighted concerns over water-injected shrimp sold online, revealing excessive phosphate levels in the shrimp despite misleading advertisements claiming “zero additives” and “zero moisture retention agents.”
This new policy marks a significant step in addressing food safety concerns and improving oversight across China’s food supply chain, aiming to protect both public health and consumer confidence.
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