The National Development and Reform Commission, the
Standardization Administration of China, the Ministry of
Agriculture and six other departments announced their 2004–2005
development program for national food standards at the weekend.
The reform program will include establishing inspections for all
known banned materials in food manufacturing within two years.
To reduce trade barriers, China will raise the ratio of
international standards utilized by the food industry to 55 percent
from today's 23 percent.
"Safety is the first consideration for anything entering
people's mouths, followed by its nutritional value," said Hao Yu,
secretary-general of the National Food Industry Standardization
Technique Committee.
He added that the use of additives will be a major consideration
in drafting the new standards.
Spot checks during the past two years have revealed that the
abuse or misuse of additives in food production and processing has
become the biggest threat to food safety.
In one case, talcum power was found in flour products, in
violation of national food standards.
"There are no methods or standards to test the talcum powder
content in flour under the current norms," said Shang Yan'e, an
official with the central government entity responsible for grain
and oil inspections.
Funds have been allocated to conduct risk evaluations on food
additives to fix acceptable standards.
(China Daily December 13, 2004)