Top legislator stresses implementation of Food Safety Law

Chinese top legislator Zhang Dejiang has urged sound implementation of the Food Safety Law to ensure people's health and security.

"Food safety is a big matter concerning the people's vital interests, and is a major project for the people's well-being," said Zhang, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, while presiding over a meeting about the issue on Saturday.

In April and May, an NPC Standing Committee delegation led by Zhang conducted a nationwide inspection over the enforcement of the Food Safety Law and formed a report. The law was revised in 2015 with harsher punishment for violators.

Zhang asked government departments to study the report and carry out specific measures targeting problems listed in it.

He also asked the NPC to strengthen supervision over the government's work.

Vice Premier Wang Yang, who is also deputy head of the State Council food safety committee, attended the meeting.

Legislators asked Wang some questions, such as how to crack down on food-related crimes and how to regulate unqualified food business.

The food safety situation is generally good, but problems in some sectors and places are prominent, Wang said.

He said his committee will investigate and solve irregularities uncovered in the inspection and rush to establish a unified and authoritative supervision system.

Relevant authorities will strengthen management over the source of food materials and ask food enterprises to shoulder more responsibilities so as to plug loopholes in the food production and sale chain, Wang said. Endi