Measures on Food Safety Supervision Responsibility and Accountability

To further strengthen the supervision of food safety within the distribution process and protect consumers' interests on the food market, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce earlier issued the Measures on the Responsibility and Accountability for Supervising Food Safety in Commercial Distribution Channels (Trial Implementation) based on the State Council's requirements and the current situation in food safety supervision.

The measures set out clearly the ten major duties to be discharged by commerce and industry administration departments in supervising food safety. They are: monitoring food operators' entry into the market and their credit classification; supervising the quality of food products entering the market and in the distribution process as well as food product classification; monitoring the behaviour of food operators; guiding and monitoring food operators in various distribution channels to ensure that they are self-disciplined; preventing and handling major incidents in food safety during the distribution process; handling consumers' enquiries, complaints and reports of misconduct; disseminating information related to food safety inspections conducted on food operators through various distribution channels; publicising food safety regulations, policies and knowledge; improving the supervision system and related laws and regulations; and other responsibilities specified in the State Council regulations.

The measures also require that industry and commerce administration departments provide to other related departments and industry associations information on food safety including the issuing, cancellation and revocation of food operators' business licence and results of food safety inspections.

Under the measures, law enforcement staff and leading officials of industry and commerce administration departments and other internal organs who fail to discharge their duties, fail to act in accordance with the law or take immediate action against breaches, or violate the laws themselves or have delinquent behaviour leading to serious consequences should bear the full responsibility for such wrongdoing.