China releases new food safety policies

China will build a long-term mechanism to control the use of "gutter oil," underscoring the importance of food safety.

The general office of the State Council, China's cabinet, has published a guideline on measures of monitoring and controlling the use of "gutter oil," which refers to recycled oil made from kitchen waste dredged from gutters behind restaurants as well as inedible animal oil.

The guideline states that catering businesses will not be allowed to dump or discard kitchen garbage, adding that used oil should be handled using professional facilities. Catering businesses are encouraged to install cameras in kitchens, processing workshops and disposal workshops so that kitchen garbage can be traced.

Companies featuring disposal technologies should be nurtured and given favorable tax policies, according to the guideline.