Recently (21st), the State Administration for Market Regulation and other six departments jointly issued the "Notice on Strengthening the Food Safety Supervision of Prefabricated Dishes and Promoting the High-quality Development of the Industry", which clarified the definition and scope of prefabricated dishes for the first time.
Clarify the definition and scope of prefabricated dishes and strengthen the bottom line of food safety
According to industry statistics, at present, 26 provinces and municipalities directly under the central government in the mainland have laid out the prefabricated food industry, with more than 75,000 processing enterprises, and the output value will exceed 530 billion yuan in 2023. In view of the current hot issues in the prefabricated food industry, how to make consumers understand and rest assured, and how to promote the standardized and healthy development of the prefabricated food industry?
For the first time, the notice clarifies the definition and scope of pre-made dishes. Prefabricated dishes should have both the characteristics of prefabrication and dishes, highlight the characteristics of industrial preprocessing and the attributes of dishes, and have and meet the characteristics and requirements of large-scale, standardized, clean and standardized food production and processing.
The notice also clarifies that prefabricated dishes are pre-packaged dishes that can only be eaten after industrial pre-processing, heating or cooking, and preservatives shall not be added. Dishes made in the central kitchen, as well as staple foods such as quick-frozen noodles and rice foods, and convenience foods are not pre-made dishes.
No added preservatives will have a significant impact on the industry
For a period of time, some negative cases have made consumers "talk about the color change of pre-made dishes". Consumers' concerns about pre-made dishes mainly focus on whether the credibility of producers and operators is guaranteed, and whether preservatives and additives are added to the products. The notice issued this time also clearly stipulates that preservatives cannot be added to prefabricated dishes and food additives are strictly used.
Experts believe that the notice responds to the public's concerns about the addition of preservatives in a timely manner, meets consumers' expectations for safe, nutritious and healthy food, and puts forward stricter quality management requirements for prefabricated food manufacturers.
Wang Wei, Dean of Sichuan Provincial Prefabricated Sichuan Cuisine Research Institute of Chengdu University: Urge enterprises to achieve the flavor maintenance and safety guarantee of prefabricated dishes without adding preservatives through the research and development and application of advanced cleaning and ecological technologies, such as high-efficiency cold chain technology, natural antiseptic preservation technology, cold chain sterilization technology, and non-damaging high-temperature treatment technology.
The food safety supervision of prefabricated dishes will be further strengthened
In the case of the merchant not informing, especially in the case of ordering takeaway, it is difficult for consumers to distinguish whether it is a pre-made dish purely from the appearance and taste. At present, consumers are generally concerned about the use of prefabricated dishes in the catering sector, and expect catering businesses to publicize them.
The notice proposes to vigorously promote the use of prefabricated dishes in catering links to protect consumers' right to know and choose. This puts forward specific requirements for merchants, manufacturers of prefabricated dishes, and regulatory authorities.
The notice requires local market supervision departments to strengthen the food safety supervision of prefabricated dishes, strictly implement the main responsibility of enterprises and territorial supervision responsibilities, strictly control the production license of prefabricated dishes, and focus on inspecting the implementation of quality and safety measures in the purchase inspection, production process control, storage and transportation of prefabricated food production and operation enterprises.
Relevant experts also pointed out that in order to promote the healthy development of the emerging industry of prefabricated dishes, it is necessary to improve the standard system related to prefabricated dishes as soon as possible after the relevant definitions of prefabricated dishes are clear.
Zhang Chunhui, Chief Scientist of the Institute of Agricultural Products Processing, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences: Including the definition of terms for prefabricated dishes, processing technical regulations and specifications, product standards and quality and safety standards. With a series of standards for prefabricated dishes, we can better provide a starting point for quality and safety supervision, product quality control, consumer protection and other aspects.
(Source: CCTV News Client)