Draft rules define premade dishes in consumer interest

China is stepping up efforts to protect consumer rights by clearly defining premade dishes, responding to growing public concern over restaurant chains that have taken advantage of vague standards to market semi-prepared food as "freshly cooked" at premium prices.

On Thursday, several authorities said they have drafted new rules on premade dishes to better safeguard consumer rights, ensure food safety and promote higher-quality development in the catering industry.

The drafts — titled National Food Safety Standards for Premade Dishes and Terminology and Classification for Premade Dishes — were prepared by the food safety office of the State Council in collaboration with the National Health Commission, the State Administration for Market Regulation and other departments.

Working with the Ministry of Commerce, the authorities have also drafted a circular encouraging restaurants to voluntarily disclose how dishes are prepared. The drafts are expected to be released soon for public consultation.

Premade dishes have drawn widespread attention nationwide after Xibei, a national restaurant chain long known for its northwest Chinese cuisine and public emphasis on natural ingredients, was accused in September 2025 by influencer Luo Yonghao of heavily relying on such dishes while charging premium prices for food marketed as freshly prepared.

The Xibei case has since become a focal point in China's debate over food transparency, highlighting the gap between culinary marketing and kitchen reality.

The new rules represent an upgrade to a 2024 regulatory circular that defined premade dishes as prepackaged foods. Under that definition, such dishes are made from agricultural ingredients — with or without seasonings but without preservatives — and undergo industrial preprocessing such as marinating, frying or boiling.

They may include seasoning packets, require cooking before consumption, and must be stored and transported according to labeled specifications.

A relevant official from the State Administration for Market Regulation said in response to media inquiries on the circular that given the widespread use of the central kitchen model by chain catering enterprises, ready-to-cook ingredients, semi-prepared products and finished dishes that are produced in-house and distributed to their own outlets should comply with laws, regulations and standards on catering food safety. Dishes prepared by central kitchens are not classified as premade dishes, the official said.

lilei@chinadaily.com.cn