Regulating GM Food Labeling in China

Xinhua: Regulating GM Food Labeling in China

ShanghaiDaily.com 2014-05-27

File photo/Xinhua

BEIJING, May 27 (Xinhua) -- China is to improve its regulations on labeling genetically modified (GM) food to guarantee consumer rights.

The measure was included in a guideline issued by the State Council, the country's cabinet, to boost food safety, according to a government statement issued on Tuesday.

The guideline did not give details about the stricter rule to be implemented.

GM food remains controversial in China and consumers have complained it is hard to distinguish GM food from non-GM food due to poor labeling. 

Chinese Government Urges Food Safety

Xinhua: Chinese Government Urges Food Safety

English.news.cn   2014-05-27 13:10:19

According to a government statement on Tuesday, the Chinese State Council, the country’s cabinet, issued guidelines to increase food safety in 2014.Safety measures are to include:

o    Stricter monitoring of the quality of baby formulas and a campaign to punish illegal use of food additives;

o    Greater efforts to improve food quality of meat products and harsher regulations for those who incorporate the use of sick or dead animals;

o    Proper handling of kitchen waste and the prohibition of process waste edible oil use;

o    An amendment draft to the Food Safety Law tripling fines for food safety violations and carrying a lifetime ban from the industry for violators. 

Food safety during and after a power outage: Keep it or toss it out?

Food safety can be a major concern for people during a power outage. There are several things to do in advance and tips to follow after power is restored.

Posted on May 1, 2014 by Eileen Haraminac, Extension Educator

With the April 2014 Midwest span of spring storms, power outages have become common. Michigan State University Extension advises consumers that food safety can be a major concern for people during an outage, especially when the electric company can’t give you an estimated time for when the power will be back on. The following are suggestions for advanced preparation to help keep food safe in case of a power outage:

• Make sure your appliances have thermometers; it is the best way to ensure your food is safe in case there is a power outage. Temperatures are considered safe if they are 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower in the refrigerator or zero degree or lower in the freezer.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends the following tips to follow:

• Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature.
• The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours if it is unopened.
• A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.
• Buy dry or block ice to keep the refrigerator as cold as possible if the power is going to be out for a prolonged period of time. Fifty pounds of dry ice should hold an 18-cubic foot fully-stocked freezer cold for two days.
• If you plan to eat refrigerated or frozen meat, poultry, fish or eggs while it is still at safe temperatures, it’s important that each item is thoroughly cooked to the proper temperature to assure that any foodborne bacteria that may be present is destroyed. However, if at any point the food was above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours or more, discard it.
• Wash fruits and vegetables with water from a safe source before eating.
• For infants, try to use prepared, canned baby formula that requires no added water. When using concentrated or powdered formulas, prepare with bottled water if the local water source is potentially contaminated

Once power is restored you will need to determine the safety of your food. Here’s how:

• If an appliance thermometer was kept in the freezer, check the temperature when the power comes back on. If the freezer thermometer reads 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, the food is safe and may be refrozen.
• If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer, check each package of food to determine its safety. You can’t rely on appearance or odor. If the food still contains ice crystals or is degrees Fahrenheit or below, it is safe to refreeze or cook.
• Refrigerated food should be safe as long as the power was out for no more than four hours and the refrigerator door was kept shut. Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs or leftovers) that has been above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours or more.

Keep in mind that perishable food such as meat, poultry, seafood, milk and eggs that are not kept adequately refrigerated or frozen may cause a foodborne illness if consumed, even when they are thoroughly cooked. Following these guidelines can help ensure that no one will become sick from tainted foods.

GFSF welcomes GCCA as a new strategic partner

Alexandria, Virginia, May 2, 2014

For Immediate Release

Contact

Eric Wu

Director, GFSF and Financial Services/China
Tel. 703-684-1366

GFSF welcomes GCCA as a new strategic partner

Global Food Safety Forum (GFSF) is pleased to announce that Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) has become a new strategic partner of GFSF.

GCCA provides specialized cold chain advisory services to government agencies, organizations, and associations. Over the past 15 years, GCCA has worked with international donors such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency to provide specialized cold chain and related advisory services.

GFSF is a non-profit industry organization with a diverse membership base of leading multinational companies in the global food chain, Chinese companies, US state departments of agriculture, and trade associations. The Forum’s core activities have been workshops under USDA and member sponsorship; rapid response services on-site to solve immediate food safety issues; liaison with Chinese government regulatory and oversight agencies; and reciprocal delegation visits to China and the US.

For additional information on AB SCIEX and on GFSF partnership, as well as the upcoming Beijing Food Safety Summit in June, please contact:

GFSF

Eric Wu

Director, GFSF and Financial Services/China
GIC Group
1434 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel. 703-684-1366
web: www.gicgroup.com

GCCA

Richard Tracy

Vice President, International Programs

Global Cold Chain Alliance

1500 King Street, Suite 201

Alexandria, VA 22314-2730 USA

phone +1 703 373 4300 ext. 215
lrandel@gcca.org