Food safety refers to the measures taken to eliminate physical, chemical, biological, and any other potential hazards in food. Hazardous food can be defined as food that is harmful to human health and unsuitable for consumption. Food safety is a scientific discipline that deals with the handling, utilization, and preservation of food through the prevention of foodborne illnesses. It involves various routines that need to be followed to avoid serious health risks.
China, where one-fifth of the world’s population resides, single-handedly meets a quarter of global food production. When considering quantity, China is the largest agricultural producer in the world. Moreover, in terms of monetary value, it is the second-largest importer of agricultural products. In a country where agricultural production is intensive and widespread, food and food safety are significant concerns.
China is a global leader in wheat and rice production and is also one of the leading countries in corn, barley, and oilseed production. After trade wars with the United States, China altered its agricultural policies, aiming to increase soybean production while continuing its self-sufficiency strategy in wheat and rice production. [1] Food safety is crucial in terms of both the quality and quantity of the produced goods. The main animal products include pork, beef, dairy products, and eggs. [2]
The Chinese government regulates not only agricultural production but also food packaging manufacturing, containers, the use of chemical additives, pharmaceutical production, and business management. In recent years, the Chinese government has made efforts to strengthen existing food safety regulations since the establishment of the China State Food and Drug Administration in 2003. Former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang emphasized the importance of food and food safety during a meeting of the State Council in Beijing, stating, ‘Food is essential and should be a top priority. Food safety is closely related to people’s lives, health, economic development, and social harmony.’[3] With this statement, he underscored the significance of food and food safety.
Food safety issues continue to remain high on the global agenda. The process of ensuring food safety begins with agricultural activities during the production stage. Due to increasing fertilizer prices, China continues to issue warnings regarding food safety.
The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), in a statement made through WeChat, emphasized the importance of fertilizer for agricultural production and food security. They called on authorities to ensure price stability and prioritize the supply of raw materials and energy to chemical fertilizer companies. [4]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, China has focused on food security and planned to exert more pressure on its regions to increase grain yield and support the local seed industry. The Annual Rural Policy Plan, known as the ‘Number 1 Document,’ placed greater emphasis on food security compared to previous years and called on all provinces to increase grain yield during the 2021-2025 period. Beijing, which has long prioritized food security for its 1.4 billion population, has further intensified its focus on this issue following concerns over the impact of the pandemic on major food-exporting countries and the stability of food resources. Agriculture Minister Tang Renjian stated during a press conference, ‘We must not underestimate the issue of grain security.’ He stated that the Chinese population is still rising and emphasized the importance of this issue for the country. In the document published by the State Council of China, it is stated that the Communist Party Committees, as well as the local government, will be responsible for food safety. China plans to build the “National Food Safety Industry Belt”.[5]
The National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China established national standards that would be applicable in the People’s Republic of China for Food Contact Materials (FCM) in 2017. These regulations encompass the general safety requirements outlined in the general safety standard GB 4806.1-2016 to prevent harm to consumers. NHFPC has also implemented requirements regarding the use of additives, which are significant for adhesive substances in contact with food, as defined in the GB 9685-2016 standard. Product standards have been established for other materials in contact with food and finished products as well. [6]
China’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Zhang Jun, called for the improvement of global food and agricultural governance from China during an open session held in August 2023. He emphasized the need to establish the concept of common security to address the food crisis, accelerate the narrowing of the development gap between the North and the South, and enhance the global food and agricultural governance system. Zhang Jun indicated that China advocates the adoption of a common, comprehensive, cooperation-based, and sustainable security concept and the peaceful resolution of disputes. He highlighted the importance of tackling various challenges such as food security through solidarity and a mindset of shared benefits. [7]
The Chinese representative also emphasized the importance of resolutely opposing behaviors that affect international food security and global cooperation, such as unilateral sanctions, division, disruption of market order, and exerting pressure on other countries’ businesses.
In conclusion, food security is of vital importance as it helps protect consumers from foodborne disease risks. With a growing population, China attaches great importance to food security.”
[1] “Çin: Dünyanın En Büyük Tarım Ekonomisi”, Miller Magazine, https://t.ly/K5Lkn, (Date Accesion: 12.11.2023).
[2] “Çin’de Gıda Güvenliği”, Wikipedia, https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%87in%27de_g%C4%B1da_g%C3%BCvenli%C4%9Fi, (Date Accesion: 12.11.2023).
[3] Ibıd.
[4] “Çin’den Gıda Güvenliği Uyarısı”, Bloomberg, https://www.bloomberght.com/cinden-gida-guvenligi-uyarisi-2288249, (Date Accesion: 12.11.2023).
[5] “Çin, Gıda Güvenliği Politikalarına Ağırlık Veriyor”, Ticaret Bakanlığı, https://ticaret.gov.tr/blog/sektor-haberleri/cin-gida-guvenligi-politikalarina-agirlik-veriyor, (Date Accesion: 12.11.2023).
[6] “Çin İçin Gıda Güvenliği Mevzuatı”, UPM RAFLATAC, https://www.upmraflatac.com/tr/urunler-ve-hizmetler/urun-guvenligi-ve-uyumluluk/gida-guvenligine-uygun-etiketleme/cin-icin-gida-guvenligi-mevzuati/ (Date Accesion: 12.11.2023).
[7] 7 “Çin’den Küresel Gıda ve Tarım Yönetişiminin İyileştirilmesi Çağrısı”, CRi, https://turkish.cri.cn/2023/08/04/ARTIJc2r0XMIH2u5yai3Ugd4230804.shtml, (Date Accesion: 12.11.2023).
