Local FDA works on food guidelines for import expo

THE city’s food watchdog is working on guidelines to regulate food distribution inside the China International Import Expo venue, and may ban outside food delivery to ensure food safety, authorities said yesterday.

At present, the National Exhibition and Convention Center bans food deliveries from outside its grounds, and authorities are considering whether to modify this ban in the future, said Li Jie, chief of law enforcement at the Shanghai Food and Drug Administration.

“We will ban delivered food from outside the center if evaluation results show it poses high risks. And we will ensure an abundant food supply inside the venue,” she said.

There are more than 70 restaurants inside the center, and during the expo authorities will stringently supervise them, as well as box lunches produced by designated outside restaurants, the administration said.

Restaurants inside the expo venue are now closely monitored, as are the ingredients used by these establishments.

During the expo, authorities say they will also work to prevent cross-contamination as well as excessive food production.

The Shanghai FDA is upping scrutiny at restaurants and hotels around the venue as well in an attempt to stamp out unlicensed eateries and potential food safety hazards.

The administration conducted an inspection at several restaurants inside the center yesterday. Based on its findings, InterContinental Shanghai Hongqiao NECC was ordered to make “rectifications” after bean sprouts in its kitchen could not be traced, among other infractions.