预制菜“国标”征求意见：中央厨房市场渗透率已超八成

Core Viewpoint - The national standard for prepared dishes has entered the public consultation phase, explicitly excluding dishes produced in central kitchens from the definition of prepared dishes [2]. Group 1: Definition and Standards - The standard defines prepared dishes as pre-packaged meals made from one or more edible agricultural products and their derivatives, which undergo industrial pre-processing and require heating or cooking before consumption [2]. - Central kitchens are excluded from the prepared dish category, which includes staple foods, fresh-cut vegetables, and ready-to-eat foods [2]. Group 2: Central Kitchen Insights - The rise of central kitchens addresses the challenges of traditional restaurant kitchens, such as dispersed processing, regulatory difficulties, and safety risks, by providing a controlled environment for food processing [2]. - In 2021, the penetration rate of central kitchens was approximately 81.2%, with a market size of 16 billion yuan [4]. - Central kitchens are defined to supply only chain restaurants and include products like fresh-cut vegetables, semi-finished products, and finished dishes, with a clear emphasis that their products do not fall under the prepared dish category [4]. Group 3: Regulatory Considerations - There is ongoing discussion regarding whether dishes produced by central kitchens for other restaurants should be classified as prepared dishes, indicating a need for further regulatory clarification [3]. - Recent announcements from the State Council and relevant authorities require food service providers to accurately inform consumers when using prepared dishes, central kitchen products, or pre-packaged foods [4].