With the improvement of living standards, more and more consumers turn their attention to imported food. Everyone can't help but pay attention to issues such as food safety and consumer security when purchasing. Today is the "3.15" International Consumer Rights Day. The editor will take you to learn about the safety of imported food.

Imported food here refers to food imported through general trade declaration.

Q: How does the customs of imported food supervise?

In recent years, in order to more efficiently ensure the quality and safety of imported food, the customs has established a governance system covering the entire process of imported food, and implemented the "three-stage management model" of strict access before import, strict inspection and quarantine during import, and strict follow-up supervision after import.

1. Strict access before import

my country implements access assessment for 8 categories of products, including meat, dairy products, aquatic products, bird's nest, casings, plant-derived foods, Chinese medicinal materials, and bee products. Food safety systems are assessed and reviewed. Only food that fully meets the requirements of my country's regulations can be exported to my country.

All these information can be found on the China Customs portal, it is recommended to pay attention ⬇

At the same time, the customs implements a registration system for overseas food production enterprises that export meat, aquatic products, dairy products and other foods to China. The General Administration of Customs will organize an expert review team to review the enterprises that apply, and only those who pass the review can be approved for registration.

http://jckspj.customs.gov.cn/spj/zwgk75/2706880/2811812/index.html

Of course, being approved for registration is not a one-and-done event. For example, in order to prevent the risk of importing cold chain food from the new crown pneumonia epidemic and protect the health and safety of consumers, the customs will implement emergency preventive measures against overseas manufacturers of imported cold chain food that are positive for the new coronavirus nucleic acid.

http://jckspj.customs.gov.cn/spj/zwdt45/index.html

2. Strict inspection and quarantine upon import

After the imported food arrives at the port, the customs will carry out on-site inspection of the imported food and take samples for inspection in accordance with the requirements of supervision and management such as risk control instructions. After the comprehensive inspection and quarantine assessment is qualified, the customs will issue the "Inspection and Quarantine Certificate for Entry Goods", which will be approved for sale and use. If the items involving safety, health and environmental protection are found to be unqualified, the customs will order the parties to destroy them, or issue a return handling notice, and the importer will go through the return procedures.

3. Strict follow-up supervision after import

According to the requirements, importers should establish a food import and sales record system, and should truthfully record the relevant information of food import and sales in written or electronic form to ensure the traceability of the whole process. The customs will conduct follow-up supervision on the importers. For food importers who have not established and abide by the food import record and sales record system, the customs will order corrections, give warnings or fines, until they are ordered to stop operating.

Q: What information should I pay attention to when buying imported food?

1. Is there a Chinese label

"Is it an imported food if the labels are all in foreign languages?"

"NO!" This is a misunderstanding.

When buying imported food, you should first check whether there is a Chinese label on the product.

According to my country's "Food Safety Law", imported prepackaged food should have Chinese labels. The Chinese label of imported food should indicate the product name, production date, ingredient list, the origin of the food, and the name, address, and contact information of the domestic agent.

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2. Whether there is an "Inspection and Quarantine Certificate for Entry Goods"

When consumers buy imported food, they can ask the merchants for the "Inspection and Quarantine Certificate of Entry Goods" issued by the customs, and compare it with the purchased product information. The "Inspection and Quarantine Certificate for Entry Goods" will list the product name, brand, country of origin (region), specification, quantity/weight, production date (batch number) and other relevant information one by one.

Now there are also businesses that provide self-printed "Inspection and Quarantine Certificates for Entry Goods". Since August 1, 2020, the General Administration of Customs has added the "Inspection and Quarantine Certificate for Inbound Goods" information inquiry function in the "single window" of international trade. Enterprises can fill in the applicant's mobile phone number when importing customs declaration, and then they can receive the "Inbound Goods Inspection and Quarantine Certificate" function. Inspection and Quarantine Certificate” number and inquiry code, and then use the number and inquiry code to inquire and download through the inquiry page of the “Single Window”.

http://ccseweb.singlewindow.cn/

3. Pay attention to product nutrition labels

Food nutrition labels are instructions that provide consumers with food nutrition information and characteristics, and are also an effective way for consumers to intuitively understand the nutritional components and characteristics of food. Consumers can choose food that suits them according to their physical condition and the information on the product nutrition label, and have a reasonable and balanced diet. For example, people who are losing fat can choose low-fat products; people with high blood pressure and other people who are not suitable for high sodium intake can choose low-sodium products; diabetics can choose low-sugar products that are suitable for themselves.