China Wednesday has released a statement requiring food safety inspection authorities to disclose information and control food safety rumors.
Food inspection authorities should publicize accurate and complete food safety supervision information, said the statement.
It requires inspection authorities to identify the companies concerned in rumors and ask those companies to rectify issues quickly.
Organizations or individuals are not permitted to release reports or warnings about national food safety issues without authorization. No entities can publish or distribute food inspection reports issued by unqualified inspection institutions, according to the statement.
It also requires police to strictly punish those who start or spread food safety rumors.
Overall, the Chinese food safety situation is positive. However, rumors surface from time to time, leading to public concern. The statement was jointly released by the Food Safety Commission under the State Council together with another nine agencies.
