Study On Current Status And Countermeasures Of The Imported Food Safety In One Of Shanghai Seaport

BackgroundIn recent years, food safety incidents happen frequently in China. Food safety has become the focus of people’s attention. With the improvement of people’s living standard, imported food comes into people’s daily life. But imported food is not synonymous with" high quality". The safety problem can not be ignored. It is not only a duty for the inspection and quarantine institution to further strengthen the inspection and supervision of imported food, it is also an important line of defense for our country to safeguard food safety.ObjectivesA port in Shanghai was picked as a major research field. Through the quantitative data collection, combining with the expert interview, we get the basic situation of the imported food in that port and then analyze the factors that impact the food safety. At the same time, a survey on the knowledge and attitude on the food safety regulations was carried out on the heads of food enterprises. The data of the survey were collected to discuss the inspection and quarantine supervision strategy on imported food enterprise. The data also provide reference for the improvements on the imported food inspection work and the imported food safety.MethodsQuantitative research and qualitative research combined, through the literature review method for screening, we understand the current situation of our country’s food safety, especially imported food safety status, influence factors and thoughts on supervision. Through the historical data collection method, we collected the data on the imported food in that port, and made an analysis of the basic situation of imported food and the reason of disqualification. We also got some information on the countries or regions where the unqualified foods were made and the relevant food classification. An intention survey was made on the heads of food enterprises about their knowledge and attitude on the food safety regulations. Through expert interviews, we made a further discussion and research on the imported food inspection supervision status and existing problems, and put forward the countermeasures on the inspection and supervision. Results1. From2008to2010the imported food overall unqualified rate was1.05%. In2008the unqualified rate was0.89%. In2009the unqualified rate was2.47%. In2010the unqualified rate was0.75%.2. From2008to2010main import food categories are food additives, beverages, wine, condiment, other classes and cocoa products, candy and other categories.3. From2008to2010the food categories of which the unqualified rate is higher is the special dietary foods class, other classes, fruits and vegetables category, beverage category. The food categories of which the unqualified rate is lower is baked food and food additive category.4. In that port, Japan, Taiwan, the United States are not only the major imported food trade countries or regions, but also the major source of unqualified food.5. From2008-2010food from Bangladesh, Philippines, Canada, Malaysia, Germany, Thailand, the United States, Italy, and Taiwan got higher unqualified rate. Food from France, Japan, Switzerland got lower unqualified rate. In these years, food from Malaysia, Canada and Taiwan got higher unqualified rate than the current average. Food from Japan got lower unqualified rate than the current average.6. From2008to2010, the main reasons for the imported food to be unqualified were " Chinese label doesn’t conform "," common food contains raw materials of health food or drug"," outer packing is damaged or polluted, or in poor health status".7. Destruction is the main method to deal with the unqualified imported food.8. The majority of respondents thought they understood the imported food laws and regulations, and they could observe the requirements regarding the Chinese label.9. About half of the respondents chose the wrong answers when asked about detailed regulations on imported food. So the imported food enterprises heads need further training and promotion of related laws and regulations.10. The majority of respondents need third party inspection and to participate in the training on laws and regulations on food safety.11. Imported food is special in food safety. During the inspection and supervision, we should highlight the particular regions, types, causes and year.12. Environment, regulation, social, people, science and technology are the factors that can affect imported food.13. Some imported food enterprises are not in good faith and there is hidden trouble in the Chinese label rectification process. Recommendations:1. Carry out the inspection and supervision of imported food according to "Food safety law".2. Formulate strategy on the inspection and supervision according to the actual situations such as port features, sources of unqualified food, causes and types.3. Strengthen the training and promotion of related laws and regulations for the imported food enterprises.4. Establish and improve the imported food inspection mode.