Beijing promises better records of food safety violations

Want China Times, Xinhua 2014-06-17

A food inspector checks the level of pesticide residues in vegetables at the
 China University of Petroleum in Qingdao, Shandong province, Feb. 24.
(File photo/Xinhua)

China will keep and publish better records of the conduct of food companies as it works to improve food safety, authorities said on Sunday.

Ma Zhengqi, deputy head of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, said the country has started to establish an information disclosure system to monitor corporate conduct. It has also started to draw up a blacklist of illegal producers.

The disclosure system, logging punishment records and other administrative information, will be open to the public to encourage honest businesses. Ma also called for members of the public to inform on illicit activities in the food industry.

The State Council, the country's cabinet, issued a guideline in May to boost food safety in multiple sectors, especially in infant formula and meat products.

Draft amendments to the Food Safety Law released in October said China will triple fines for severe food safety violations, and those jailed for such crimes will be banned forever from the food industry.