Revised implementation rule on food safety law to begin Dec 1

Premier Li Keqiang has signed a decree to release the revised regulation on implementation of the Food Safety Law of the People’s Republic of China.
According to the decree released on Oct 31, the regulation will take effect on Dec 1, 2019.

Food producers and operators should engage in production and business activities in accordance with laws, regulations and food safety standards, while the food safety commission of the State Council should do the overall planning and provide guidance on food safety, according to the decree.

The health administrative departments above the county level should establish a food safety risk monitoring and consultation mechanism, working with food safety supervision and management departments, the decree said.

The State Council's administrative department for public health must formulate national food safety standards and its annual implementation plan with other related departments, the decree added.

Food production and operation licenses are valid for five years. It also stated that catalogs of new food raw materials, new varieties of additives and food-related products should be made public in a timely manner.

The decree also mentioned the rules on food inspection, import and export, management of food safety accidents, and the supervision on food safety.
It also included details of punishment for any food safety violations.