The characteristics, challenges, and opportunities of China’s food safety inspection supervision in the distribution sector

Yan Lu ,Gang Wang ,Zhirong Liu

doi:10.24294/jipd.v8i12.6339

Home - JIPD - Volume 8 - Issue 12

Submit to JIPD

Journal Browser

Volume | Year

Issue

• Current lssue

View All

News and Announcements

View All

The characteristics, challenges, and opportunities of China’s food safety inspection supervision in the distribution sector

Yan Lu

Gang Wang

Zhirong Liu

Journal of Infrastructure Policy and Development 2024, 8(12), 6339; https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i12.6339

Submitted：11 May 2024

Accepted：17 Jun 2024

Published：30 Oct 2024

Download PDF(467.04KB)

Cite

XML

Abstract

Concerns about public food safety are comparatively common in the Chinese food distribution industry. A dearth of expertise and scarce resources lead to frequent instances of incapacity and inadequate oversight, which negatively affect stakeholders in the circulation industry. The main challenges to food supervision are the need for more alignment between the technical specifications, comprehensiveness, and continuity of the existing food safety supervision legislation and the real circumstances facing the regulatory agencies. Despite the circulation field’s critical position in food safety regulation, its complex and variable characteristics make it challenging to implement and manage. There exist notable concerns over inadequate food safety standards and supervisory frameworks, vagueness in enforcing rules, and insufficient workforce and technical know-how in food safety supervision. The opportunities for regulating the food business with the government’s focus and attention considerably outweigh the obstacles that lie ahead. The growth of the food business needs to be viewed in the larger framework of the country’s economic development. Professional involvement and collaboration with technical departments can help regulatory bodies tackle non-compliant actions in the market circulation process in a timely way, resulting in a more evidence-based and responsive regulatory approach. Establishing a healthy equilibrium and elucidating the relationship between oversight and the food business will be crucial in the future.

Keywords

References

Ahmad, S., & Guo, M. R. (2021). Infant formula quality control. In: Human Milk Biochemistry and Infant Formula Manufacturing Technology. Woodhead Publishing. pp. 255–280. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-08-102898-8.00010-6

Alaimo, L. S., Fiore, M., Galati, A. (2020). How the Covid-19 pandemic is changing online food shopping human behaviour in Italy. Sustainability, 12, 9594. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229594

Ball, B., Wilcock, A., & Aung, M. (2009). Factors influencing workers to follow food safety management systems in meat plants in Ontario, Canada. International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 19(3), 201–218. https://doi.org/10.1080/09603120802527646

Borraz, O., Beaussier, A., Wesseling, M., et al. (2020). Why regulators assess risk differently: Regulatory style, business organization, and the varied practice of risk‐based food safety inspections across the EU. Regulation & Governance, 16(1), 274–292. https://doi.org/10.1111/rego.12320

Burkett, A. (2012). Food Safety in the United States: Is the Food Safety Modernization Act Enough to Lead Us Out of the Jungle? Alabama Law Revier, 63.

Caswell, J. A. (2003). Trends in food safety standards and regulation: implications for developing countries. International Food Policy Research Institute.

CFS. (2010). Proposal for an international food security and nutrition Civil Society Mechanism for relations with CFS. In: Committee on World Food Security CFS 36th Session Rome; 11-14,16 October 2010.

Chen, P., Li, F., Harmer, P. (2019). Healthy China 2030: moving from blueprint to action with a new focus on public health. The Lancet Public Health, 4(9), e447. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(19)30160-4

CHINA DAILY (2011). 4 Shanghai officials punished in dyed bun scandal. Available online: https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2011-04/30/content_12425249.htm (accessed on 30 November 2023).

China Food and Drug Administration. (2016). Notice on issuing the graded management of risks in food production and operations from China Food and Drug Administration (Trial Implementation). China Food and Drug Administration.

China News (2011). The Ministry of Public Security announced the top 10 typical cases of food safety crimes in China in 2010. Available online: https://www.gov.cn/jrzg/2011-03/22/content_1829610.htm (accessed on 30 March 2024).

CHINA NEWS (2012). Sixty nationwide “ditch oil” crime networks were smashed. Available online: https://www.chinanews.com/gn/2011/12-13/3526590.shtml (accessed on 12 December 2023).

China/Politics (2022). The McGuire propylene glycol incident was fined two years of net profit, and the results of the investigation were “slapped in the face” before mixed into the statement. Available online: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3183964/chinese-food-firm-maiquer-under-investigation-over-milk (accessed on 13 October 2023).

CHINA NEWS (2022). The hot pot restaurant was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined 10 times of income for using gutter oil, which made people applaud. Available online: https://www.chinanews.com.cn/sh/2022/04-08/9722997.shtml (accessed on 8 November 2023).

Chinese Government Network (2016). The Food and Drug Administration announced the top ten typical cases of food safety. Available online: https://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2016-03/14/content_5053394.htm (accessed on 18 November 2023).

Ching-Chuan, S., Da-Chen, C. (2015). Ensuring Food Safety: An Important Challenge Today: Food safety management in Taiwan. JMAJ, 58(4), 209.

Chiou, J.-S., Chou, S.-Y., & Shen, G. C.-C. (2017). Consumer choice of multichannel shopping. Internet Research, 27(1), 2–20. https://doi.org/10.1108/intr-08-2013-0173

COTEC. (2000). Commission of the European Communities: White paper on food safety. COTEC.

De La Rosa, W., & Tully, S. M. (2022). The Impact of Payment Frequency on Consumer Spending and Subjective Wealth Perceptions. Journal of Consumer Research, 48(6), 991–1009. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcr/ucab052

Dictall News (2019). Sanquan Foods moves to contain African swine fever fallout. Available online: http://dictall.com/dictall/newsInfo.jsp?id=93723 (accessed on 11 November 2023).

DiMaggio, D. M., Du, N., Scherer, C., et al. (2019). Comparison of Imported European and US Infant Formulas. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 69(4), 480–486. https://doi.org/10.1097/mpg.0000000000002395

Doctor Farrah (2023). Fake Organic Food From China is FLOODING U.S. Store Shelves — What You Need to Know. Available online: https://doctorfarrah.com/2024/05/02/fake-organic-food-from-china-is-flooding-u-s-store-shelves-what-you-need-to-know-2/ (accessed on 9 May 2024).

Drimie, S., & Ruysenaar, S. (2010). The Integrated Food Security Strategy of South Africa: An institutional analysis. Agrekon, 49(3), 316–337. https://doi.org/10.1080/03031853.2010.503377

Du, Y. Y., Guo, B. M., Yu, W. Z. (2013). Food Safety Supervision System in Developed Countries and Its Implications for China. Global Science, Technology and Economy Outlook, 28(5), 71-76.

Duan, Y., Miao, M., Wang, R., et al. (2017). A framework for the successful implementation of food traceability systems in China. The Information Society, 33(4), 226–242. https://doi.org/10.1080/01972243.2017.1318325

Esteki, M., Regueiro, J., & Simal‐Gándara, J. (2019). Tackling Fraudsters with Global Strategies to Expose Fraud in the Food Chain. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 18(2), 425–440. https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.12419

Fang, E. F., Xie, C., Schenkel, J. A., et al. (2020). A research agenda for ageing in China in the 21st century (2nd edition): Focusing on basic and translational research, long-term care, policy and social networks. Ageing Research Reviews, 64, 101174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2020.101174

Feng, T. T., Wang, C., Zhang, Y., et al. (2022). Literature metrology and visual analysis of food safety supervision research in China. Journal of Food Safety and Quality, 13(02), 641-649. https://doi.org/10.19812/j.cnki.jfsq11-5956/ts.2022.02.017

Feng, Y., & Sommer, G. (2011). Leather Milk Surfaces Again in China. Available online: https://alaskandreams.net/ekklesia/Leather%20Milk%20Surfaces%20Again%20in%20China.htm (accessed on 19 April 2024).

FINANCIAL TIMES (2012). Lipton tea faces safety scandal in China. Available online: https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/706516.shtml (accessed on 12 November 2023).

Food and Drug Administration. (2019). Regulations of inspection of imported foods and related products. Available online: https://consumer.fda.gov.tw/Law/Detail.aspx?nodeID=518&lang=1&lawid=145 (accessed on1 November 2023).

FOX News (2011). China on alert for leather protein in milk supply. Available online: https://www.foxnews.com/world/china-on-alert-for-leather-protein-in-milk-supply (accessed on 21 February 2024).

Franceschini, T. (2016). The Guarani and Kaiowá Peoples’ Human right to adequate food and nutrition: a holistic approach - executive summary. Food Information Action Network - FIAN Brazil, Brasília.

Frank, C., Werber, D., Cramer, J. P., et al. (2011). Epidemic Profile of Shiga-Toxin–ProducingEscherichia coliO104: H4 Outbreak in Germany. New England Journal of Medicine, 365(19), 1771–1780. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa1106483

FSL. (2009). The Food Safety Law of the People’s Republic of China (FSL). Beijing: National People’s Congress.

Fung, F., Wang, H.-S., & Menon, S. (2018). Food safety in the 21st century. Biomedical Journal, 41(2), 88–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bj.2018.03.003

Garcia Martinez, M., Fearne, A., Caswell, J. A., et al. (2007). Co-regulation as a possible model for food safety governance: Opportunities for public–private partnerships. Food Policy, 32(3), 299–314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2006.07.005

Geng, X. F., Zhang, J., Zhuang, Z. Y. (2020). Epidemiological analysis of reported Pseudomonas cocovenenans food poisoning incidents in China from 2002 to 2016. Journal of Hygiene Research, 49(4), 648-650.

Gong, P., Liang, S., Carlton, E. J., et al. (2012). Urbanisation and health in China. Lancet, 379(9818), 843-852. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61878-3

Gu, G. Q. (2015). Experience and enlightenment of food safety supervision in United States and the European union. Food and Machinery, 31(1), 272–274. https://doi.org/10.13652/j.issn.1003-5788.2015.01.063

Guan, N., Fan, Q., Ding, J., et al. (2009). Melamine-Contaminated Powdered Formula and Urolithiasis in Young Children. New England Journal of Medicine, 360(11), 1067–1074. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa0809550

Gwenzi, W., Makuvara, Z., Marumure, J., et al. (2023). Chicanery in the food supply chain! Food fraud, mitigation, and research needs in low-income countries. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 136, 194–223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2023.03.027

Haiyan, O. Y. (2011). Five top safety issues of Chinese in 2011. Insight China, 7, 50–54.

Hu, J., Zhang, X., Moga, L. M., et al. (2013). Modeling and implementation of the vegetable supply chain traceability system. Food Control, 30(1), 341–353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2012.06.037

Ji, G. N., Wu, J. S., Gao, W. M. (2001). Singapore food hygiene management features. China Public Health, 19, 863–864.

Jia, C., & Jukes, D. (2013). The national food safety control system of China – A systematic review. Food Control, 32(1), 236–245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2012.11.042

Jiang, Q. L. (2022). The research on problems and countermeasures of food and drug safety supervision in S city [Master’s thesis]. Hunan University. https://doi.org/10.27135/d.cnki.ghudu.2020.001226

Kepple, A. W., & Segall-Corrêa, A. M. (2017). Food security monitoring in Brazil and other Latin American countries: Support for governance with the participation of civil society. Global Food Security, 14, 79–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2017.05.006

Kim, W., & Wang, X. (2021). To be online or in-store: Analysis of retail, grocery, and food shopping in New York city. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 126, 103052. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trc.2021.103052

Lam, H. M., Remais, J., Fung, M. C., et al. (2013). Food supply and food safety issues in China. Lancet, 381(9882), 2044–2053. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(13)60776-X

Lan, H. J., Huang, F. Q., Lin, Z. K. (2008). The design of a food traceability system for 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. China Storage & Transport, 5, 86–89.

Li, D., Zang, M., Wang, S., et al. (2022). Food fraud of rejected imported foods in China in 2009–2019. Food Control, 133, 108619. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2021.108619

Li, X. J. (2019). Research on Food Safety Supervision System from the Perspective of Holistic Governance—A Case Study of X City. JiangXi University of Finance and Economics.

Li, X. Y. (2022). Study on the current situation of food safety supervision and Guarantee System. Modern Food, 28(03), 46–48. https://doi.org/10.16736/j.cnki.cn41-1434/ts.2022.03.011

Li, X., Jiang, X., Sun, J., et al. (2018). Recent advances of medical foods in China: The opportunities and challenges under standardization. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 119, 342–354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2018.02.024

Li, X., Zang, M., Li, D., et al. (2023). Meat food fraud risk in Chinese markets 2012–2021. Npj Science of Food, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-023-00189-z

Liang, K., Thomasson, J. A., Lee, K.-M., et al. (2012). Printing data matrix code on food-grade tracers for grain traceability. Biosystems Engineering, 113(4), 395–401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2012.09.012

Lien, K.-W., Chen, S.-Y., Pan, M.-H., et al. (2019). Inspections of imported foods to Taiwan: an overview. Journal of Consumer Protection and Food Safety, 14(2), 183–191. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00003-018-1204-7

Lindley, J. (2022). Food regulation and policing: innovative technology to close the regulatory gap in Australia. Journal of Consumer Protection and Food Safety, 17(2), 127–136. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00003-022-01372-2

Liu, C. F., Lin, C. H. (2020). Online food shopping: a conceptual analysis for research propositions. Front Psychol, 11, 583768. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.583768

Liu, L. M., Qian, H., Gao, Y. C., et al. (2011). Analysis and Assessment of Food Traceability Status in China. Advanced Materials Research, 396–398, 1353–1357. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.396-398.1353

Liu, Q. X. (2023a). A study on the influence of consumer emotions on purchase intentions and consumption amounts in live streaming of food sold by internet celebrity [Master’s thesis]. Jilin University.

Liu, T. (2023b). Problems and countermeasures in the supervision of small food workshops. China Food Industry, 1, 43–45,48.

Lord, N., Flores Elizondo, C. J., & Spencer, J. (2017). The dynamics of food fraud: The interactions between criminal opportunity and market (dys)functionality in legitimate business. Criminology & Criminal Justice, 17(5), 605–623. https://doi.org/10.1177/1748895816684539

Luo, L., Lu, S., Huang, C., et al. (2021). A survey of chloramphenicol residues in aquatic products of Shenzhen, South China. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A, 38(6), 914–921. https://doi.org/10.1080/19440049.2021.1898680

Ma, C.-C., Chen, H.-S., & Chang, H.-P. (2020). Crisis Response and Supervision System for Food Security: A Comparative Analysis between Mainland China and Taiwan. Sustainability, 12(7), 3045. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12073045

Made-in-China (2013). Chinese Juice Products Were Being Made From Rotten Fruit. Available online: https://resources.made-in-china.com/article/industry-view/SJTnZhqYIEHx/Juice-Makers-to-Be-Probed-Over-Rotten-Fruit-Juice/ (accessed on 24 September 2013).

Mao, X., Hu, J., Liu, X. (2011). Epidemiological burden of bacterial foodborne diseases in China-preliminary study. Chin J Food Hyg, 23(2), 132–136.

Mendonca Leao, M., Maluf, R. S. (2014). Effective public policies and active citizenship: Brazil’s experience of building a food and nutrition security system. Oxfam International.

Mol, A. P. J. (2014). Governing China’s food quality through transparency: A review. Food Control, 43, 49–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2014.02.034

Nganje, W. E., Mazzocco, M. A., McKeith, F. K. (1999). Food safety regulation, product pricing, and profitability: The case of HACCP. North Dakota State University.

Pagotto, F. J., & Farber, J. M. (2009). Cronobacter spp. (Enterobacter sakazakii): Advice, policy and research in Canada. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 136(2), 238–245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2009.05.010

Pei, X., Tandon, A., Alldrick, A., et al. (2011). The China melamine milk scandal and its implications for food safety regulation. Food Policy, 36(3), 412–420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2011.03.008

Pizzuti, T., Mirabelli, G., Sanz-Bobi, M. A., et al. (2014). Food Track & Trace ontology for helping the food traceability control. Journal of Food Engineering, 120, 17–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2013.07.017

Polacsek, M., Boninger, F., Molnar, A., et al. (2019). Digital Food and Beverage Marketing Environments in a National Sample of Middle Schools: Implications for Policy and Practice. Journal of School Health, 89(9), 739–751. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12813

Qiu, S. X. (2023). Problems and countermeasures of food and drug safety supervision. Journal of Project Management, 4, 39–41. https://doi.org/10.12238/jpm.v4i3.5712

Ren, Y., He, Z., & Luning, P. A. (2022). Performance of food safety management systems of Chinese food business operators in Tianjin. Food Control, 138, 108980. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2022.108980

Shanghai Daily (2013). Fast-food ice dirtier than their toilets. Available online: http://www.china.org.cn/business/2013-07/22/content_29488434.htm (accessed on 23 December 2023).

Shi, N., Chen, Y., Huang, H., et al. (2017). Characteristics of food safety supervision system in foreign countries and its implications for China. Science and Technology of Food Industry, (16), 239–241. https://doi.org/10.13386/j.issn1002-0306.2017.16.045

Song, H. (2011). A study on food safety standard law in China. J Public Admin, 2, 30–50.

Song, Y. L. (2014). The experience of the US legal system of food safety supervision. World Agric, 421(5), 82–85.

Song, Y., Li, X. M., Zhang, L. S. (2014). Food safety issues in China. Iranian J Publ Health, 43(9), 1299–1300.

Stepin (2021). Three Squirrels’ nuts test positive for hazardous substances. Available online: https://www.cmgm.net/three-squirrels-nuts-hazardous-substances/ (accessed on 12 December 2023).

Tan, X., Liu, X., & Shao, H. (2017). Healthy China 2030: A Vision for Health Care. Value in Health Regional Issues, 12, 112–114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vhri.2017.04.001

Tang, Q., Li, J., Sun, M., et al. (2015). Food traceability systems in China: The current status of and future perspectives on food supply chain databases, legal support, and technological research and support for food safety regulation. BioScience Trends, 9(1), 7–15. https://doi.org/10.5582/bst.2015.01004

Tang, Y. Q., Dai, J. H., Fu, M., et al. (2022). Recommendations on microbiological monitoring in catering service food. China Food Safety Magazine, (14), 29–32. https://doi.org/10.16043/j.cnki.cfs.2022.14.018

The Paper News (2014). Regulators seized Shanghai OSI Foods overnight and ordered McDonald’s KFC to remove the problematic meat from the shelves. Available online: https://www.forbes.com/sites/russellflannery/2014/07/21/queasy-reading-shanghai-govt-shuts-down-mcdonalds-kfc-meat-supplier/?sh=670f5e0b6b19 (accessed on 30 January 2024).

The Paper News (2021). Xiaolongkan hot pot restaurant and other businesses have exposed food safety problems and have been investigated and punished. Available online: https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_14174157 (accessed on 8 November 2023).

Tian, D. Y., Zhao, J., Liu, T. T. (2021). Application of food rapid detection in food safety supervision and the solutions. China Food Safty Magazine, 35, 25-27. https://doi.org/10.16043/j.cnki.cfs.2021.35.029

Wang, J. H., Wang, K. F. (2023). Four-party evolutionary game of food quality supervision for live-streaming e-commerce supply chain. Logistics Technology, 85–92,112.

Wang, W. (2020). Comparative Analysis and Enlightenment of Food Safety Supervision System in Advanced Countries. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 512(1), 012064. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/512/1/012064

Wang, W. T., Tian, H. Y., Wang, G. Q., et al. (2019). Discussion and countermeasures on quality and safety status of catering food in Shandong province in 2018. Journal of Food Safety and Quality, 10(18), 6389–6397. https://doi.org/10.19812/j.cnki.jfsq11-5956/ts.2019.18.069

Wang, X. D., & Wu, Y. (2016). Industrial gelatin poisons food; police crackring. Available online: https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/kindle/2016-07/30/content_26278565.htm (accessed on 18 November 2023).

Wei, Q. Z. (2022). Analysis of countermeasures of food and drug safety supervision. China Food Safty Magazine, 4, 38–40. https://doi.org/10.16043/j.cnki.cfs.2022.04.05

World Health Organization. (2019). Healthy China: Deepening Health Reform in China: Building High-Quality and Value-Based Service Delivery, 3rd ed. World Bank Publications. pp. 97–124.

Wu, L., Liu, J. J. (2015). Suggestion of supervision of food processing workshops and food vendors in China. Journal of Food Safety and Quality, 6(09), 3764–3770. https://doi.org/10.19812/j.cnki.jfsq11-5956/ts.2015.09.083

Wu, Y., & Chen, Y. (2013). Food safety in China. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 67(6), 478–479. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2012-201767

Xu, L., Meng, F. (2011). Report on China food safety studies. Beijing: Science Press.

Yan, T., Choi, T. Y., Kim, Y., et al. (2015). A Theory of the Nexus Supplier: A Critical Supplier From A Network Perspective. Journal of Supply Chain Management, 51(1), 52–66. https://doi.org/10.1111/jscm.12070

Yang, H. (2021). Discussion on the Causes and Prevention Measures of Food Poisoning Caused by Pseudomonas Cocovenenans-Taking the “Suan-tang-zi” Food Poisoning in Jixi City, Heilongjiang Province As an Example. Modern Food, (16), 168–170,175.

Yang, Y. (2008). Implication of vendor center from Singapore to street food hygiene management in China. Chin J Health Inspect, 15(5), 352–355.

Yang, Y. Z. (2021). Challenges and countermeasures of food safety supervision in China. China Food Safty Magazine, (36), 39–41. https://doi.org/10.16043/j.cnki.cfs.2021.36.006

Young, D. (2003). FDA launches new initiative to battle counterfeit drugs. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 60(17), 1712–1712. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajhp/60.17.1712

Zhang, X., Zhang, J., Liu, F., et al. (2010). Strengths and limitations on the operating mechanisms of traceability system in agro food, China. Food Control, 21(6), 825–829. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2009.10.015

Zhen, Y. H., Cheng, Y. J., Pan, G. X., Li, L. Q. (2008). Cd, Zn and Se content of the polished rice samples from some Chinese open markets and their relevance to food safety. J Safety Environ, 8, 119–122.

Zhou, Z. Y. (2011). The discussion of the small workshops of food production definition. Jiangxi Food Ind, 6, 14–17.

Zuo, E., Aysa, A., Muhammat, M., et al. (2022). A food safety prescreening method with domain-specific information using online reviews. Journal of Consumer Protection and Food Safety, 17(2), 163–175. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00003-022-01367-z

Previous
article in this issue

Next
article in this issue