What Are New Developments from the Two Sessions Regarding Food?
The annual "Two Sessions" kicked off on March 4th. What suggestions and proposals have the representatives made regarding food this year? According to a summary and analysis by Food Partner Network, the topics have mainly focused on developing new quality production forces, encouraging research on new varieties of green food additives, promoting the development of the natural sugar substitute industry, increasing policy support for "going global," and standardizing pre-cooked food standards and other aspects.
On March 5th, the General Secretary Xi Jinping once again emphasized the importance of firmly grasping the primary task of high-quality development and developing new quality productive forces according to local conditions.
Encouraging the Research of New Varieties of Green Food Additives
In the modern food industry, the use of food additives has improved product quality, enriched food types, and met the diverse needs of consumers for food, ensuring the stability and safety of processed food from the farmland to the dining-table. However, with the rapid development of the food industry, the variety and scope of use of food additives are gradually unable to meet the development needs. This year, representatives at the "Two Sessions" have put forward relevant suggestions for resolution.
National People's Congress (NPC) representative and Chairman of Chenguang Bio, Lu Qingguo: Encourages the research of new varieties of green food additives. He calls for the introduction of relevant policies to encourage technological innovation and the cultivation of new varieties in the food additive industry, and to encourage the research and approval of new varieties of natural and green food additives.
Suggestion to Support and Promote the Development of the Natural Sugar Substitute Industry
The "Healthy China Action (2019-2030)" initiative proposes that food producers and operators use natural sweet substances and sweeteners permitted by food safety standards to replace sucrose. It also encourages urban populations with high sugar intake to reduce the consumption of sugary drinks and sweets, and to choose beverages and foods produced with natural sweet substances and sweeteners instead of sucrose. To implement this action plan, representatives at this year's "Two Sessions" have suggested promoting the development of the natural sugar substitute industry.
Increasing Policy Support for "Going Global"
The journey of food "going global" not only faces numerous tariff barriers but also has to deal with the challenges posed by complex technical trade barriers. Several representatives at this year's "Two Sessions" have proposed increasing policy support for food "going global."
Other Suggestions
In addition to the above suggestions and proposals, other representative suggestions that have attracted attention at this year's "Two Sessions" include:
National Political Consultative Conference (NPCC) member and Chairman of the Nanjing Municipal Committee, Wang Liping: Build top-notch innovation platforms in the food field. Wang Liping suggests constructing a batch of first-class laboratories and innovation centers in the food field, both domestically and internationally. This would enhance the research and development of modern food technology such as agricultural product storage, transportation, processing, food manufacturing, and proactive food safety prevention and control, and build a scientific and technological support system for food safety.
NPCC member Sun Baoguo: Explore the establishment of a coordinated governance system for food safety rumors. Sun Baoguo noted that in recent years, rumors about food safety have been persistent, such as repeated discussions of misconceptions about food safety; reports and interpretations about "emerging industries" in the food field that are prone to "oversimplification"; and some live broadcast rooms with prominent food safety hazards. Sun Baoguo suggests increasing the efforts to popularize science and refute stubborn rumors. At the national level, it is suggested to sort out and release a list of stubborn rumors in the field of food safety and health; and to explore the establishment of a coordinated rumor governance system involving multiple departments.