Beijing to intensify punitive action against food safety violations

Beijing plans to ban people convicted of food safety crimes from investing in and operating related businesses as China’s government steps up measures against such violations.

China will better regulate the use of edible additives in the catering industry, and crack down on the illegal use of inedible substances and mislabelling of production and sell-by dates, according to a draft amendment to food-safety regulations published on the municipal government’s website. Beijing’s government will seek the public’s opinion until Apr 25, it said in a statement.

The rules reflect China’s efforts to improve regulation of the industry after a string of incidents related to tempered food, including tainted milk, added to public concern over food safety. Chinese vice-premier Li Keqiang has called for harsh punishments against violations and said the nation plans to establish a long-term mechanism this year to check food safety.