A range of new measures are to be introduced by the municipal
health bureau to improve the Shenzhen City's food safety.
They include checks on pesticide residues through to new
canteens for industrial workers and increased checks on
premises.
Shenzhen's municipal health bureau will begin checking
restaurants with areas ranging from 150 to 300 square meters and
canteens accommodating 300-800 diners later this month.
Restaurants and canteens passing the inspection will be given
different rankings according to quality and service.
The health bureau will finalize a pesticide training program for
large restaurants and canteens later in the year. The training
includes basic knowledge of pesticides and measures to control
pesticide residues. In addition, kitchenware sterilization rate
must reach 87 percent and 98 percent of restaurant workers must
possess health permits.
According to the plan, the health authority will also close
unlicensed eateries around industrial parks and open more canteens
on the city's industrial parks.
The city has 857 industrial parks, housing 23,871 enterprises.
Half of them had canteens by the end of last year, offering places
for 3.08 million diners, accounting for 70 percent of their
workforce. This year more canteens will be built, to cater for 80
percent.
The health authorities will tighten inspections on school
canteens and close unlicensed eateries within 200 meters of
schools.
In addition, the bureau will set up 16 quality supervision
points in farm markets, supermarkets, restaurants and canteens to
test vegetables, frozen and fried foods, cooked foods, meat and
fish products, and eggs.
(Shenzhen Daily April 12, 2007)