Core Insights - The article highlights the ongoing efforts and results of China's food additive regulation, emphasizing a decrease in non-compliance rates and the implementation of stricter measures to ensure food safety [1][2][4]. Group 1: Regulatory Actions and Results - In the first three quarters of this year, national market regulatory authorities conducted 2.2745 million batches of food additive inspections, detecting 21,200 non-compliant samples, resulting in a non-compliance rate of 0.93%, a decrease of 0.02 percentage points compared to the same period last year [1][2]. - The regulatory authorities have taken action against 13,180 cases of excessive or unauthorized use of food additives, with a total involved amount of 23.31 million yuan and fines totaling 90.38 million yuan, of which 89 cases have been referred to law enforcement [1][2]. Group 2: Focus Areas and Challenges - The regulatory focus includes high-risk categories such as edible agricultural products, vegetable products, and grain processing products, particularly those labeled as "zero additive" or "no preservatives" [2][3]. - Despite progress, there are still areas where illegal addition and abuse of food additives persist, indicating a risk of resurgence in these practices [2][4]. Group 3: Industry Standards and Compliance - New guidelines for meat product production have been established, requiring strict adherence to standards for food additive usage, including specific quantities and types [3][4]. - In the beverage sector, production companies are mandated to establish product formula management systems to ensure compliance with national food safety standards regarding food additives [4]. Group 4: Industry Self-Regulation and Future Directions - The China Food Industry Association emphasizes the importance of self-regulation within the industry, advocating for reduced reliance on food additives and promoting the principle of "no unnecessary addition" [4]. - The market regulatory authorities plan to continue enhancing the safety supervision of food additive production and usage, aiming to solidify the achievements of the regulatory actions and ensure consumer safety [4].

Core Viewpoint - The State Administration for Market Regulation emphasizes the importance of regulating food additives to ensure food safety, addressing public concerns about illegal use and abuse of these substances [1] Group 1: Regulatory Actions - In April, a comprehensive governance action was launched by the State Council's Food Safety Office and six other departments to tackle the misuse of food additives across the country [1] - The action aims to implement the "strictest" food safety requirements, focusing on the excessive and unauthorized use of food additives that the public is particularly concerned about [1] Group 2: Public Concerns - There is heightened public and media attention on food additives, with some consumers expressing fear and distrust towards them, often associating them with illegal practices [1] - The real concern among consumers is not the technology behind food additives but the illegal addition and misuse of these substances by unscrupulous food producers [1]

Core Viewpoint - The increasing public concern over food additives in China is primarily due to illegal use and abuse by food producers, rather than the additives themselves [1][2] Group 1: Regulatory Actions - The State Administration for Market Regulation has launched a comprehensive action against the abuse of food additives, resulting in 13,180 cases being investigated, with a total amount involved of 23.31 million yuan and fines totaling 90.38 million yuan [1] - The action emphasizes the "strictest" food safety requirements and aims to address the public's concerns regarding the excessive and unauthorized use of food additives throughout the food supply chain [1][2] Group 2: Industry Guidelines - The initiative promotes the principle of "non-essential not to add," encouraging companies to minimize the use of food additives and to adhere strictly to relevant standards [2] - Industry organizations are urged to advocate for responsible practices in the development and labeling of food products, ensuring accurate representation of any food additives used [2] Group 3: Inspection Results - In the first three quarters of the year, 2.27 million batches of food additives were inspected, with a non-compliance rate of 0.93%, a slight decrease from the previous year [3] - The inspection covered various food categories, focusing on those with a history of issues related to food additives, such as agricultural products and processed grains [3] Group 4: Enforcement Measures - Regulatory authorities are actively addressing non-compliant products by enforcing recalls and administrative penalties, and referring serious cases to judicial authorities for criminal prosecution [4] - Future efforts will continue to focus on enhancing monitoring and inspection of food additives to combat illegal practices and reinforce the effectiveness of the comprehensive governance actions [4]

Core Viewpoint - The core issue is not the use of food "technology" but the illegal addition and misuse of food additives, which has raised significant public concern [1] Regulatory Actions - The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has intensified efforts to regulate food additives, emphasizing that while food additives can enhance safety when used properly, they are often misused by unscrupulous operators [1] - A comprehensive governance action against the abuse of food additives was launched in April, involving six departments, focusing on the entire supply chain from farm to table [1] Key Features of Governance Action - The governance action covers the entire process from agricultural product sources, production and sale of additives, to food production, catering processing, and online sales, enhancing departmental collaboration [1] - It targets four major pain points: risks from the source, weak links in production and operation, violations of "two excesses" (exceeding scope and limits), and online sales issues, with strict enforcement of regulations [1] - The initiative promotes a "non-essential not to add" principle, encouraging companies to minimize the use of additives while ensuring safety, aiming for a reduction in both variety and quantity of additives [1] Industry Self-Regulation - Industry associations have been guided to issue initiatives urging companies to adhere to principles of truthful labeling in research, production, and labeling [2] Enforcement and Accountability - The governance action has yielded significant results, with 13,180 cases of "two excesses" investigated, involving a total of 23.31 million yuan, and fines totaling 90.38 million yuan, with 89 cases referred to law enforcement for criminal prosecution [3] - The SAMR has warned food producers that while the decision to add additives is optional, maintaining quality, safety, and integrity is mandatory, with poor compliance leading to severe consequences [3]

Core Insights - The latest food safety inspection results reveal violations in the use of food additives across 14 categories, with the main non-compliance issues being the bleaching agent sulfur dioxide, sweetener saccharin, and preservative dehydroacetic acid [1][2] Group 1: Inspection Results - In the first three quarters of this year, the national market regulatory authorities completed inspections involving 2.2745 million batches of food additives, with 21,200 batches found non-compliant, resulting in a non-compliance rate of 0.93%, a decrease of 0.02 percentage points compared to the same period last year [1] - The inspection focused on 21 major food categories known for issues related to the excessive use of food additives, particularly those labeled as "zero additive" or "no preservatives" [2] Group 2: Regulatory Actions - The market regulatory authorities are actively conducting investigations and taking action against non-compliant food products, including requiring companies to remove and recall non-compliant items, and imposing administrative penalties on offending food production and operation enterprises [2] - The regulatory framework includes a comprehensive governance action initiated by six departments, including the State Council Food Safety Office, aimed at addressing the misuse of food additives [1][2]

Group 1 - The State Council's Food Safety Office, along with several ministries, has issued a comprehensive governance plan to address the abuse of food additives, aiming to enhance food safety and consumer health [1][2] - The plan focuses on the illegal use of food additives beyond permissible limits and the use of non-food substances as food additives, emphasizing the need for strict regulation and enforcement [1][2] - Companies are identified as the primary responsible parties for food safety, urged to adopt self-regulation, establish strict internal management systems, and enhance quality control throughout the production process [2] Group 2 - The governance plan encourages public participation in reporting violations, suggesting the establishment of effective reporting channels and reward mechanisms to facilitate social supervision [3] - Increased inspection coverage and frequency are recommended to detect the abuse of food additives, along with the option for compliant third-party testing to enhance oversight [3]

Core Viewpoint - The misuse of food additives has become a significant concern for consumers, prompting the Chinese government to implement a comprehensive governance plan to address the issue across the entire food supply chain [1][3]. Group 1: Governance Actions - The State Council's food safety office and six other departments have issued a comprehensive governance plan to combat the misuse of food additives [1]. - The plan includes strict enforcement against illegal practices in agricultural production, management of chemical products, and enhanced customs inspections for imported food additives [3]. - Market regulatory authorities will enforce strict supervision over the production, sale, and use of food additives, including penalties for exceeding permissible limits [3]. Group 2: Regulatory Focus Areas - The governance action emphasizes a full-chain and full-process supervision approach, from agricultural production to food consumption [5]. - Inspections will focus on key production areas, including raw material storage and production processes, ensuring compliance with supplier management and ingredient verification [5]. - Specific attention will be given to the food production sector, where certain food categories, such as canned goods and baked products, are prohibited from using preservatives [7]. Group 3: Prohibited Substances - In the food service sector, there are strict prohibitions against the use of certain harmful substances, including industrial oxalic acid, nitrite preservatives, and illegal additives like poppy husk [7]. - Regulatory bodies are actively encouraging food service businesses to verify the safety and compliance of their food additives [7]. Group 4: Proper Use of Additives - Food additives are not inherently harmful; their safety depends on correct usage and adherence to specified limits [9]. - Each food additive is required to indicate its permissible food categories and maximum allowable amounts, with misuse defined as exceeding these limits [9].

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese government has launched a comprehensive governance action plan to address the abuse of food additives, highlighting the importance of food safety and consumer health [1][2]. Group 1: Issues Identified - The abuse of food additives has become a significant concern for the public, with instances of excessive use leading to health anxieties [1]. - Current regulatory frameworks are insufficient due to the complexity of the food industry, leading to gaps in oversight and enforcement [2]. - There is a lack of ethical responsibility among some businesses, prioritizing profit over safety [2]. Group 2: Governance Actions - The newly issued governance plan emphasizes a comprehensive approach, focusing on source management and strict regulation of the production, sale, and use of food additives [2]. - Inter-departmental collaboration is highlighted as a key strategy to effectively combat the abuse of food additives [2]. - The plan aims to enhance dynamic regulation and adapt to new food technologies, ensuring that oversight keeps pace with industry innovations [3]. Group 3: Future Directions - Continuous monitoring and regulation are necessary to maintain food safety, particularly in emerging sectors like online food sales and live-streaming commerce [3]. - Increasing the cost of violations is essential to deter unethical practices among businesses [3]. - Engaging the public in food safety governance is crucial for building broader societal support [3].

Core Viewpoint - The newly issued "Comprehensive Governance Plan for the Abuse of Food Additives" aims to establish a full-process regulatory system from farm to table, addressing the entire supply chain of agricultural products, food, and food additives [1][4]. Group 1: Regulatory Measures - The plan emphasizes strict control at the source, targeting illegal use of banned agricultural inputs and toxic substances in food production [4]. - For the first time, the plan includes the regulation of chemical products masquerading as food additives, requiring the establishment of a list of key chemical enterprises to cut off illegal raw material channels [4]. - The customs authority will enhance inspection and quarantine of imported food additives, utilizing big data to identify undeclared industrial-grade materials posing as food additives [4]. Group 2: Industry Transformation - The plan signifies a shift in food safety governance from "post-incident punishment" to "systematic prevention," establishing clearer behavioral guidelines for the industry [4]. - The comprehensive governance approach addresses the root causes of food additive abuse by focusing on all stages of the supply chain, rather than just the consumer end [4]. - Analysts predict that stricter regulations will lead to increased industry consolidation, with smaller companies that misuse additives being eliminated, while leading firms will expand their market share through faster transformation [6]. Group 3: Public Awareness and Standards - As public awareness of food safety increases, there is a growing preference for natural and green foods, alongside concerns about food additives [5]. - The new national standard for food additives (GB 2760—2024) has been implemented, revising the usage limits and ranges for various preservatives and additives [5]. - The joint efforts of multiple departments to address food additive abuse will promote a transition from reliance on additives to innovation in food processing, aiming for a balance between safety and development [5].

Group 1 - The Chinese government has decided to engage in talks with the U.S. based on a thorough assessment of global expectations and domestic interests, with Vice Premier He Lifeng leading the discussions [2] - The Chinese economy has shown a strong start in 2025, with a GDP growth of 5.4% year-on-year in the first quarter, and the government aims for a growth target of around 5% for the year [6] - The State Administration for Market Regulation has released a model rental contract to enhance clarity and risk prevention in urban housing leases, aiming to optimize the utilization of existing housing resources [8] Group 2 - The first quarter of 2025 saw a significant increase in engineering project investments, with 18,000 projects reported in March alone, accounting for 46.5% of the total for the quarter [10] - The People's Bank of China conducted a total of 9.05 billion yuan in standing lending facility operations in April, with interest rates set to maintain stability in the money market [11] - The tourism market experienced a notable rebound during the "May Day" holiday, with 314 million domestic trips taken, reflecting a 6.4% increase year-on-year, and total spending reaching 180.27 billion yuan, up 8% [13][14]