China proposes rules to enhance oversight of food retail chains

China's top market regulator has recently drafted a set of new rules to strengthen food safety oversight of food retail chains, and is soliciting public opinions.

These rules clarify the power and responsibilities of regulators at all levels, while specifying risk prevention requirements and legal liabilities, according to the draft unveiled by the State Administration for Market Regulation.

Specifically, the headquarters of food retail chains will be overseen by provincial-level regulatory authorities, while their branches and outlets will be regulated by city- and county-level regulators, respectively.

The headquarters must intensify oversight of key processes such as personnel management, purchasing and delivery, the draft states. It also emphasizes the timely prevention and control of risks and hidden dangers.

According to the draft, all food retail chains must establish a dynamic mechanism for food safety risk management that covers the entire supply chain, including headquarters, branches, warehouses, delivery centers and outlets.