Core Points - The "Belt and Road" Customs Food Safety Cooperation Conference was held in Shanghai on October 15, 2025, resulting in the signing of the "Shanghai Declaration" to promote trade facilitation and food safety [1] - The "Silk Road Food Safety" information platform was launched, and 11 countries signed the "Belt and Road Customs Food Safety Cooperation Mechanism Charter," bringing the total member countries to 18 [1] - China Customs expressed willingness to collaborate with food safety authorities from various countries to enhance food safety governance and facilitate agricultural product trade [1] Group 1 - The conference marked significant progress since the establishment of the "Belt and Road" Customs Food Safety Cooperation Mechanism in 2023 [1] - China Customs proposed four key initiatives: emphasizing corporate responsibility for food safety, leveraging international standards, ensuring comprehensive food safety from farm to table, and promoting mutual benefits for global consumers [1] - Belarus joined the "Belt and Road" Customs Food Safety Cooperation Mechanism, with its Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food expressing commitment to share food safety regulatory experiences and eliminate trade barriers [2]

Group 1 - The main event of the 2025 Zhenjiang Food Safety Promotion Week was held, focusing on the theme "Integrity and Lawfulness, Shared Food Safety" [1] - The promotion week aims to showcase the city's innovative measures and achievements in food safety, while encouraging enterprises to enhance their responsibilities and upgrade the industry [1] - Various departments and organizations will conduct diverse activities during the promotion week to raise public awareness of food safety and enhance community governance [1] Group 2 - The rapid growth of online food delivery has made it a hotspot for consumer dining, prompting regulatory authorities to collaborate with the Ele.me platform to launch the "Community Hero - Snap and Report" initiative [2] - Six delivery riders have been appointed as "Zhenjiang's Non-Dine-in Food Safety Informants" to monitor the food processing environments and hygiene of non-dine-in merchants during the pick-up and delivery process [2] - This initiative aims to strengthen social supervision and promote a collaborative food safety governance framework involving the entire society [2]

Core Insights - The 16th China Food Safety Forum was held in Beijing, focusing on the theme "Integrity and Lawfulness, Shared Food Safety" [1][3] - Professor Ren Fazheng from China Agricultural University highlighted that the food safety inspection pass rate is expected to remain above 97% in both 2023 and 2024, showcasing significant achievements in food safety in China [1][3] Industry Challenges - The Chinese food industry is undergoing a critical transformation phase, facing challenges such as the restructuring of global supply chains, the emergence of new business models, and increasingly diverse health demands from consumers [3] - Key challenges include controlling source pollution, precise regulation during production, risk assessment of new materials and processes, and ensuring precise nutritional health guarantees [3] Recommendations for Improvement - Emphasize "technology empowerment" to drive modernization in food safety governance [3] - Strengthen "industry responsibility" to build a solid first line of defense for food safety through integrity [3] - Promote "co-governance and shared responsibility" to collaboratively construct a community for food safety [3] Vision for the Future - The ongoing commitment to food safety is emphasized, with a call for collaboration to safeguard public health and advance the construction of a healthy China, fulfilling the people's aspirations for a better life [3]

Core Viewpoint - The National Market Supervision Administration emphasizes the importance of food safety during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, focusing on comprehensive regulation and risk prevention to ensure public health and safety [1][2]. Group 1: Regulatory Focus Areas - The administration is closely monitoring "bulk food" items such as rice, flour, oil, meat, eggs, milk, fruits, vegetables, and tea, ensuring strict licensing and comprehensive inspections to prevent substandard food from reaching consumers [1]. - There is a strong emphasis on protecting "key populations," particularly in the regulation of infant formula and school food safety, with increased inspections and crackdowns on fraudulent practices targeting the elderly [1][2]. Group 2: New Consumption Trends - The administration is addressing the challenges posed by emerging business models like online shopping, food delivery, and live-streaming sales by enhancing compliance guidance for platform companies and increasing special inspections to tackle issues like "ghost deliveries" and false claims [2]. - Regulatory frameworks for online sales, platform delivery, and live e-commerce are being developed to clarify food safety responsibilities among various stakeholders while maintaining consumer convenience [2]. Group 3: Enforcement Actions - The administration is taking a strong stance against significant issues by imposing severe penalties for adulteration, illegal additives, false advertising, and consumer fraud, including the revocation of 3,072 licenses and restrictions on 23,800 individuals [2]. - Criminal cases are being promptly referred to law enforcement to maintain a "zero tolerance" approach against illegal activities [2]. Group 4: Community Involvement - The administration encourages public participation in food safety oversight, inviting media scrutiny and consumer reports on safety issues, while promoting self-regulation among industry organizations to foster a collaborative environment for food safety [2].

Core Viewpoint - The integration of delivery riders into food safety governance in Shanghai's Jing'an District represents an innovative approach to enhance food safety oversight, transforming riders into active participants in the regulatory process [1][2]. Group 1: Governance Innovation - Delivery riders are now included in the food safety governance system, acting as "mobile monitors" to report issues such as unlicensed operations and address discrepancies, effectively filling regulatory gaps [1]. - This initiative promotes a governance model that encourages community participation, transforming market participants into contributors to food safety oversight [1]. Group 2: Incentive Mechanisms - The introduction of a dual incentive system combining material rewards (like raincoats and meal vouchers) and social recognition (public commendations) enhances riders' motivation to engage in food safety governance [2]. - This approach shifts riders from passive rule enforcers to proactive risk identifiers, thereby strengthening the collective effort in food safety management [2]. Group 3: Operational Mechanisms - A precise governance framework is established through a system of daily inspections, weekly lists, and monthly reports, complemented by a dynamic management system of "red and black lists" [2]. - This system ensures efficient information flow and closure of feedback loops, creating a comprehensive credit profile for businesses, which incentivizes compliant establishments while penalizing non-compliant ones [2]. Group 4: Future Considerations - While the initiative shows promise, challenges remain regarding the riders' ability to identify hidden issues, necessitating enhanced training and potential digital tools for reporting [3]. - The development of a user-friendly reporting app could empower riders to document and report food safety concerns more effectively, leveraging big data for risk assessment [3].

Core Viewpoint - The newly revised "Beijing Food Business License Review Guidelines" effective from August 1, 2023, introduces significant adjustments aimed at facilitating the operation of small and emerging food businesses, particularly in the context of the rapid growth of new dining formats like bubble tea and dessert shops [1][2][3]. Group 1: Regulatory Changes - The new regulations eliminate the previous requirement that food service establishments must have a minimum area of 6 square meters, which had become increasingly incompatible with the operational realities of new dining formats [1][2]. - The guidelines allow for the simplification of facility reviews for simple food sales and self-made beverage sales based on operational processes, promoting flexibility and efficiency in small food business operations [2][3]. Group 2: Market Impact - The changes are expected to support the growth of "light dining" formats, such as bubble tea and coffee shops, which have rapidly emerged in response to evolving consumer preferences and urban lifestyles [2][4]. - As of July 15, 2025, it is projected that there will be 426,000 bubble tea stores nationwide, with 118,000 new stores opened in the past year, indicating a robust market demand for these types of establishments [2]. Group 3: Implications for Stakeholders - For regulators, the shift in focus from physical space and fixed equipment to operational processes aligns with the flexible development trends of the new economy, enhancing food safety without compromising market vitality [3][4]. - Entrepreneurs will benefit from clearer rules that allow for compliant operations without the need for third-party licenses, reducing operational costs and enabling brand development [3][4]. - The adjustments also present an opportunity for digital platforms to enhance oversight and accountability among food businesses, achieving a balance between light regulation and strong safety measures [3][4].

Core Viewpoint - The transition from regulation to legal governance is essential for food safety, aiming to create a cooperative game scenario that balances legitimate rights and mitigates preventable negative externalities [1][6]. Group 1: Food Safety Regulations - The State Administration for Market Regulation has approved the first national standard for campus catering service management, providing standardized guidance for compliance management in this sector [2]. - The management guidelines cover various aspects including menu planning, raw material management, food processing, meal preparation, delivery, service evaluation, and emergency handling [2]. - The guidelines emphasize centralized procurement for bulk commodities like rice, flour, and oil, enhancing control at critical points in the supply chain [2]. Group 2: Legislative Framework - China's food safety has gained significant attention, with the Food Safety Law implemented in October 2015 establishing the guiding principle of "the strictest standards" [2]. - The inclusion of food safety in the comprehensive evaluation system for leadership in 2019 and the release of the "Opinions on Deepening Reforms to Strengthen Food Safety Work" further solidify the commitment to food safety [2]. - The "Quality Strong Nation Construction Outline" in 2023 calls for the deep implementation of food safety strategies and the promotion of food safety assurance projects [2]. Group 3: Governance Challenges - Despite legislative and enforcement efforts, food safety issues persist, largely due to a prevailing mindset focused on control rather than governance [3]. - The reliance on punitive measures and regulatory control often leads to a reactive approach, which may not effectively address underlying issues [4]. - Acknowledging that food safety governance is a collective decision-making system is crucial, moving beyond mere punishment to foster a cooperative governance environment [4][5]. Group 4: Collaborative Governance - Strengthening the mutual support and checks among economic and social entities is vital for building an open governance system [5]. - Enhancing collective litigation, evidence presentation, and dispute resolution mechanisms can empower consumers to protect their rights effectively [5]. - Transitioning from regulation to legal governance is necessary to ensure that all food safety issues receive a firm commitment to accountability and transparency [5][6].

Core Viewpoint - The recent issuance of the "Opinions" by the Central Committee and the State Council marks a significant milestone in China's food safety governance, emphasizing a comprehensive and systematic approach to food safety regulation from farm to table [1][2]. Group 1: Systematic Governance - The "Opinions" advocate for a shift from reactive to proactive food safety governance, integrating the "Four Stricts" into all stages of food production, distribution, storage, and consumption [2][3]. - The new regulatory framework aims to address challenges posed by the digital economy and emerging business models, such as online food delivery and live-streaming sales, which require a more integrated and technology-driven approach [2][3]. Group 2: Risk Prevention - The complexity of food safety risks necessitates a robust risk prevention system that covers all links in the food supply chain, addressing issues like pesticide residue, illegal additives, and false advertising [3][4]. - The "Opinions" propose a closed-loop regulatory system that ensures traceability from source to consumer, enhancing collaboration among departments and improving information sharing [3][4]. Group 3: Key Regulatory Measures - New regulations have been established to fill gaps in oversight, including standards for transporting liquid food, safety protocols for food delivery, and a risk management system for imported food [4][5]. - The "Opinions" emphasize the importance of inter-departmental collaboration, creating mechanisms for seamless coordination among various regulatory bodies to enhance food safety governance [5][6]. Group 4: Enhancing Governance Capacity - The revision of food safety laws and regulations is aimed at solidifying the legal framework for the new regulatory measures, ensuring that enforcement is backed by legal authority [7][8]. - The establishment of a national food safety public technology support platform and the integration of AI technologies are intended to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of food safety governance [8][9].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of strengthening food safety governance in China through legal frameworks, highlighting the recent enforcement inspection of the Food Safety Law by the National People's Congress, which focuses on critical issues in food safety management [1] Group 1: Food Safety Law Enforcement - The National People's Congress has initiated the fourth enforcement inspection of the Food Safety Law, focusing on eight key areas including online dining, campus food, infant formula, prepared dishes, and food additives [1] - The Food Safety Law, regarded as the strictest in history, was enacted in 2009 and comprehensively revised in 2015, with previous inspections conducted in 2009, 2011, and 2016 [1] - The enforcement inspections aim to address prominent issues affecting the implementation of the law and to enhance rectification efforts, reflecting the high priority given to food safety by the National People's Congress [1] Group 2: Food Safety Supervision and Inspection - China has established a four-tier food safety inspection system covering national, provincial, municipal, and county levels, which includes risk monitoring and evaluation inspections [2] - Over the past five years, the market supervision system has completed 33.32 million food safety inspections, resulting in the removal, sealing, or recall of 23,000 tons of non-compliant food [2] - The focus of recent actions includes addressing raw material contamination, counterfeit products, and misleading consumer practices, particularly in the area of edible vegetable oil [2] Group 3: Campus Food Safety - The Food Safety Law designates schools as key areas for food safety, with specific provisions aimed at protecting students [3] - The coverage of "Internet + Bright Kitchen" in school canteens has reached 98.5%, with 70.1% of schools implementing centralized procurement of bulk ingredients [3] - The Ministry of Education plans to develop guidelines for the management of bulk ingredient procurement in school canteens and will enhance supervision through regular inspections [3][4]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the articles is the implementation of a concentrated rectification action against counterfeit and inferior food products in rural areas by the Zhenyuan County Market Supervision Administration, aimed at purifying the food market environment and protecting consumer rights [1][2] - A total of 8 law enforcement actions have been conducted, inspecting 132 food business entities, with 4 illegal cases filed and 29 food safety hazards rectified, effectively deterring illegal activities and further regulating the rural food market order [1] - The special rectification action focuses on peak consumption periods such as holidays and markets, targeting key areas like small food workshops, farmers' markets, and small to medium-sized supermarkets, addressing issues like counterfeit food, "three no" products, and illegal additives [1] Group 2 - The Zhenyuan County Market Supervision Administration has innovatively implemented a "dual-line advancement" work model, establishing a digital regulatory chain through a smart supervision platform and a multi-dimensional supervision system combining grid management and community supervisors [2] - A rapid response mechanism for food safety complaints has been optimized, allowing for immediate acceptance and quick handling of problem clues, alongside educational activities to raise public awareness about identifying counterfeit and inferior food products [2] - The county plans to cultivate 30 standardized operating model units within the year as part of the rural food business demonstration store creation project, aiming for a food inspection pass rate of over 98% by the end of 2025 [2]