Law-breaking firms never to be protected

Food safety administration staffs inspect a restaurant in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, on Nov 10, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

At a recent news conference, the authorities in Shandong province publicized 20 local cases of serious food safety violations. However, only one of the companies' names was mentioned; the bureaucrats claimed that this was to protect the reputation of the other companies. Comments:

The law requires food safety agencies to promote transparency of food safety information, which follows a basic logic: when the people know which enterprises and producers have broken the law, they will be able to stop purchasing its products, thus preventing the evildoers and their unsafe food from harming public health. By granting them anonymity, the Shandong authorities have done a bad job as market watchdog.

Beijing News, Jan 25

Similar cases happened earlier in Nanchong, Sichuan province, and the local officials said enterprises that committed wrongs should be given a chance to mend their mistakes. This is absurd, because the enterprises have already broken law and deserve being punished. Who will protect the public's rights and interests if officials continue to protect companies?

people.com.cn, Jan 25