China launches campaign to curb food additive abuse

China has launched a nationwide campaign to curb the abuse of food additives across the entire supply chain, from farms to dining tables, according to a new plan released by the Food Safety Commission of the State Council, the country's cabinet.

The plan calls for tighter regulation of the production and sale of food additives, along with stricter oversight of their use in food processing and catering services. Authorities will target illegal practices such as substituting chemical substances for approved food additives.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has been urged to crack down on the use of banned agricultural inputs in the production of edible agricultural products. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will enhance supervision over related industrial materials that may be misused in food production.

Health authorities are tasked with improving the dynamic management system of food additive categories, ensuring that new developments and risks are properly addressed. Also, the market regulation administration is expected to intensify monitoring efforts and investigate cases of food additive abuse, the plan said.