Chinese vice-premier calls for enhanced food safety supervision

BEIJING -- Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing called for enhanced supervision capabilities across the entire food safety chain to fully ensure food safety for the people.

Zhang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks at the main event of the 2025 China Food Safety Publicity Week in Beijing.

He emphasized the need to effectively improve the quality and efficiency of food safety work, highlighting that it is crucial for public health and national welfare.

To strengthen supervision across the entire chain, he urged a shift from addressing issues after they occur to preventing problems before they happen. He also called for better coordination in overseeing production, distribution, storage, and consumption to establish a closed-loop regulatory system.

Zhang highlighted the importance of strengthening supervision in key areas such as campus meals and online food sales. He advocated for severe penalties against illegal activities, including unlicensed food production and sales, use of banned additives, and false advertising.