Overview of Food Safety Situation in China

This chapter presents a set of recognized criteria for scientific assessment in order to accurately assess the food safety situation in China. It concentrates on how to carry out a comprehensive assessment using these criteria and include some appropriate examples. The risk analysis framework was promoted by the FAO/WHO to prevent and deal with any food safety problems. The current (2009-2015) Chinese food safety regulatory system and capabilities are a significant improvement those in the past (1995-2009). However, there are still shortcomings in risk assessment, science-based risk management decisions and risk communication in comparison to developed countries. The only way to steadily improve the food safety situation in China is to follow the risk analysis framework by the joint efforts of all stakeholders. With the new Food Safety Law of 2015 put into place, it is believed that food safety in China will steadily improve.