China to tighten regulations on food safety

Keyword:
Publish time: 25th June, 2014      Source: www.cnchemicals.com
Information collection and data processing:  CCM     For more information, please contact us
   


June 25, 2014

   

   
China to tighten regulations on food safety
   
   

   

China drafted a new version of Food SafetyLaw, which pledges tough sanctions for offenders and promises stricter food safety supervision system.

   

   

Zhang Yong, head of the Food and Drug Administration, said the situation remains severe, though the current law had helped improve food safety. He added that the existing system does not deter offenders as penalties are comparatively light.

   

   

Through the amendment to the law, the government expects to impose the harshest civil, administrative or criminal penalties on offenders, Zhang said.

   

   

According to the bill, consumers can demand compensation worth three times the loss they suffer from substandard food. In comparison, the current law allows only compensation of 10 times the price of the food.

   

   

Producers will face fines of up to 30 times the value of their products, up from 10 times under the current law. If the products are worth below RMB10,000 (US$1,604.05), producers can be fined a maximum of RMB150,000 (US$24,060.82), up from RMB50,000 (US$8,020.84).

   

   

New provisions includes the punishment for owners of production sites who are aware of any illegal activities on their property, and suppliers who sell illegitimate substances to food producers. Income from such illegal dealings will be seized and offenders will fined up to RMB200,000 (US$32,083.41).

   

   

Administrative penalties, such as demotion and dismissal, will be imposed on officials who fail to respond to food-safety incidents, or those in food and drug regulatory agencies who cover up offences.