Food integrity in China: Insights from the national food spot check data in 2016. (February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Aiping; Shen, Li; Tan, Yuxi; Zeng, Zhenghai; Liu, Yuntao; Li, Cheng
• Is Part Of: Food control. Volume 84(2018)
• Page Start: 403
• Page End: 407
• Publication Date: 2018-02
• Subjects: Food integrity -- Food safety -- Food quality -- Food authenticity -- China; Food -- Quality -- Periodicals; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food handling -- Periodicals; Food industry and trade -- Quality control -- Periodicals; Aliments -- Industrie et commerce -- Qualité -- Contrôle -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Qualité -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Analyse -- Périodiques; Hygiène alimentaire -- Périodiques; Food -- Analysis; Food handling; Food -- Quality; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 664.07
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2017.08.033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-7135

Abstract

Abstract: Food integrity is a major global public issue. China's food industry has demonstrated a sustained growth trend since the 1980s; however, the years between 1980 and 2012 witnessed a worrisome food integrity situation. Thankfully, in recent years, the situation is improving after the Chinese government's implementation of food safety regulations. In order to understand the current status of food integrity in China, this study analyzes the national food spot check data in 2016. The data covers almost all kinds of food in the market, and it reveals that overuse of food additives, microbial contamination and subpar food quality indicators are the top three factors limiting food integrity. Additionally, the paper discusses other challenges that affect food integrity in China, and we make suggestions for improving food integrity. Highlights: Food integrity situation in China was analyzed. Data was extracted from national food spot check data in 2016. Challenges that affected food integrity in China was discussed. We made suggestions for improving food integrity.