Revision to law targets makers of baby formula

A Chinese mother buys baby formula for her child at a pharmacy in Shanghai, June 23, 2014.[Photo/IC]

Baby formula producers are likely to face tougher regulations amid rising public concerns over food safety, according to a draft amendment being reviewed by the country's top legislature.

Under the draft amendment to the Food Safety Law, food companies will be banned from contracting out baby milk powder products to other manufacturers. Violators could be fined 100,000 yuan ($16,070) or lose their licenses in serious cases.

The draft states that baby food products must contain the nutritional elements needed for babies to grow and that food manufacturers must report the ingredients of their products to government supervisory authorities.

Baby food products, including milk and food additives, must meet national standards, according to the draft.

Food companies must also set up a checking system to ensure the quality of their products meets the standards, the draft states.

It is scheduled to be reviewed by the National People's Congress Standing Committee during its bi-monthly session being held from Monday to Friday.

It is the first time the law would be revised since it was introduced in June 2009. It is rare for a law to be amended after being in force for only five years.

To improve the efficiency of government work, food safety supervision will be handled by the China Food and Drug Administration, according to the draft. In the past, food safety was jointly managed by at least three agencies.

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