China publishes draft food safety law for public discussion

The National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislation body, published on Sunday a draft law covering food safety evaluation, monitoring, recall and information release for public discussion on its website to seek public opinion.

According to the draft law, producers of substandard food products may face fines, the confiscation of their income, revocation of production certificates, or 3 years or longer imprisonment in serious cases.

Public opinions will be submitted to the NPC Standing Committee for further study.

Chinese food industry has aroused concerns both home and abroad for its substandard products or tainted food in recent years. The draft law became the first one made public by the 11th NPC after its first annual session in March this year.