(ECNS) -- The Food and Drug Administration of Guangdong Province plans to require online food-delivery portals to pay compensation on behalf of restaurants that have food quality problems.
In Guangzhou, capital of the southern province, some restaurants without licenses have even been recommended by leading delivery websites.
Guangdong will issue a regulation covering online food safety supervision in two months, said Luo Wenzhi, director of the administration.
He said the rule will require online platforms headquartered in other regions to have offices in Guangdong and register before they are allowed to run businesses.
He added that the provincial policy would supplement a national law that takes effect on Oct. 1.
Online restaurants will be required to make transparent their food processing through video surveillance or other measures. In case of a food quality problems, the online platform is required to first pay compensation, according to the new ruling.
Such measures will help guarantee food quality and enhance accountability, Luo said.
Beijing has recently vowed to make aggressive efforts to prevent illegal restaurants that lack necessary hygiene and safety approval from offering takeout services using online platforms such as Baidu Waimai and Meituan.
