The quality of mainland products has higher standard, said Director of General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine Li Changjiang.

Responding to overseas media reports on safety of certain Chinese food products, Li said that the majority of mainland food produce has met the administration's standard.

Necessities such as rice, noodles and cooking oil have a passing rate of 91.5 percent, while fruit juice hits 97.5 percent.

Exported food produce provides even more impressive figures. In the first half of 2007, over 99 percent of food exported to US, EU and Japan passed the sampling test, which points to strict quality control by mainland corporations and manufacturers.

"There are difficulties in supervising the numerous food product manufacturers and processors across the country, but we are prepared to step up inspection and tighten the requirements for their products' entry into the market," said Li.

He also said stringent measures would be enforced regarding exported food produce, from close examination of the food manufacturing process and isolated quarantine, to hygiene license and appropriate labels for the products.

"For violations of food safety, the administration will inform the importing countries, as well as analyze the data and take immediate measures. A list of manufacturers and processors violating norms will also be published on the Internet.

"Food safety is an international problem. Even US has had issues like mad cow disease," said Li. "It should be a collaborative effort between countries and we must discuss and tackle the problem for the common good of the world's population," he added.

China plays a prominent role for promotion of food safety on the international stage, as it participates in the annual World Food Summit. Li added that the administration also communicates regularly with countries like EU, US, Japan and South Korea in the area of food safety.

The central government also has placed strong emphasis on safety of exported food produce to Hong Kong and Macao. An operation agreement in food safety, animal and plant inspection and quarantine was signed between the central government and HKSAR in October 2005.

"Since 1997, the central government and HKSAR have successfully tackled many food safety issues together," said Li. "Our reinforced measures include farm licensing, strict supervision of pesticide, entry-exit animal and plant quarantine, as well as close monitoring of labels and transportation of animals," he added.

The central government, HKSAR and Macao also maintain close communication and hold regular meeting on these issues, Li added.

With mainland being the major exporter of fruits and flowers to Hong Kong, the administration has strengthened its supervision of farmers. In addition to tracking of sources of goods, there is also reinforced quarantine for the flowers and fruits and instant notifications of any safety issues.

"We're working closely together with the Hong Kong government to ensure product safety," Li said. "According to two large-scale examinations conducted by Food and Environmental Hygiene Department in 2007, the passing rate of food products in Hong Kong stands at 99.2 percent and 99.6 percent respectively," he added.

Bauhinia Magazine - China Daily

(HK Edition 08/01/2007 page6)