Foreign food importers will be able to tell certified Chinese
food products from fake ones thanks to a "CIQ" mark that all legal
food exports are required to carry on their packaging from next
month.
The mark stands for China Inspection and Quarantine, which
guarantees that the exports have passed quality tests, according to
a regulation unveiled by the General Administration of Quality
Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ).
The packages should also carry information such as the
enterprise's name and address, batch number and production date so
that any quality problems can be traced to the source.
The measure is aimed at guaranteeing the quality of Chinese food
exports and curb illegal exports, according to the AQSIQ.
The move is necessary although it may increase costs for Chinese
food exporters, said Huo Jianguo, president of the China Chamber of
Commerce of Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Products and
Animal By-products.
Inspection and quarantine agencies in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, said the new regulation is expected
to affect some 20,000 shipments worth US$100 million each year.
Some widely reported cases concerning the quality of
made-in-China food products actually involve illegal exports that
have not gone through any inspection and quarantine, Huo said.
The measure is part of the efforts by the government to
safeguard the reputation of Chinese products following safety
worries ranging from additives, toothpaste and seafood to toys.
(China Daily August 23, 2007)
