The China Food and Drug Administration published a draft of an update to the 2009 Food Safety Law last month. Among the additions is a statement that food producers and traders “are the first persons responsible for food safety.” The update also specifies that the Food and Drug Regulatory Department is responsible for food safety coordination and the regulation of food production and trading; the Health Administration Department is responsible for food safety risk assessment and the formulation of food safety standards; and the Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine Department is in charge of regulating food production, import and export. The draft also specifies that local governments include food safety in their development plans and enhance their capacities for food safety regulations. Added to the list of substances to which food safety standards should apply are biotoxins, radioactive substances and food additives. The update also specifies that food producers and traders establish a food safety management system and food trace-ability management system. Also added is the adoption of a safety evaluation and examination system for the production of food-related products, which includes a requirement for food safety assessment documentation.

Source: USDA