Advice for food importers from China

Domestic contamination scandals in China over recent years, have placed renewed government focus on improving food safety standards. But while China has recently introduced a food safety act, traditionally quality management systems, food standards and hygiene levels have often fallen short of required standards. According to risk manager and insurance broker Aon, for companies doing business with Chinese food suppliers, whether they are foreign or Chinese themselves, it is vital that supplied produce undergoes a strict quality management process and that firms not only agree to food safety standards but monitor their implementation. It’s also vital to establish a recall plan in case a recall does have to be instituted and consider taking out an insurance programme for the risk of product contamination.