Standard on plasticizers to be issued soon

A national standard on plasticizer levels in liquor could be implemented in the next two months, after the industry was hit by several scandals since last year, according to China Central Television news’ account on micro blog site Weibo.

Ma Yong, deputy secretary general of the China National Food Industry Association, was quoted as saying that the new standards could be much looser than previous standards on the level of plasticizers on food.

Some experts expressed doubts on whether the new standards will truly benefit the liquor industry.

Several liquor makers in the baijiu, or white liquor, industry, such as Jiugui Liquor Co Ltd, suffered heavy blows after tests by Shanghai’s Intertek found excessive levels of plasticizers in the company’s products.

Ma said the move could make China the first country to implement standards of this kind.