Source: CCTV.com

10-26-2007 10:58

Special Report:   High Level Int'l FS Forum

The government is not letting up on its effort to improve food quality standards. Recently officials from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Commerce visited food production firms, stores and restaurants in Weifang, Shandong Province. Meanwhile, a series of visits around the country have uncovered 1,100 tons of unqualified food.

Since August, China has conducted a nationwide campaign to improve the quality of goods and food safety. Statistics show that so far, China has destroyed 660 tons of unqualified or fake food products. It has also ordered 440 tons to be removed from the market.

The four-month overhaul has been described by Vice Premier Wu Yi as a "special battle" to ensure public health and interests, and uphold the reputation of Chinese products. It has covered 120,000 wholesale and retail markets. Out of those, nearly 1,700 places were discovered to produce or sell fake products.

Chen Zhu, Minister of Health said "The basic elements for good health include clean water and safe food. Of course, safe medicine is also very important now. These are the fundamentals needed for a person's health. Only by ensuring these fundamentals, can we then talk about disease prevention and health improvement."

The campaign has targeted farm produce, processed food, the catering sector, drugs, pork, and imported and exported products closely linked to human safety and health.

Officials say though the campaign is effective in improving product quality, the government still needs to establish "a long-term monitoring mechanism" to guarantee food safety.

 

Editor:XiongQu