Companies and individuals are to face harsh punishment and financial penalties if found to be adding illegal non-edible materials to food, says China.
Food Quality News reports that in a bid to stem the growing tide of contamination scandals in recent months Beijing has announced an “intensified crackdown” on illegal factories that produce such materials, as well as the executives who oversee their manufacture.
The latest crackdown by the Government declared that illicit drugs or any other materials that jeopardise human health are banned in the growing, cultivation, processing, and transportation of agricultural products.
Any enterprise or individual who violates the regulations will face harsh punishments, according to the government circular, reported state media.
“Enterprises that intentionally add non-edible materials to food products will face revocation of licenses, confiscation of all illicit earnings, and they will be made to pay compensation for damages caused”, said Xinhua.
Nitrite-contaminated milk, tainted buns and meat laced with illegal additives are just some of the recent scares that have made global headlines and served once again to underline the uncertain state of Chinese food safety regulation.
Source: Food Quality News
