China touts food-safety efforts

BEIJING - China sought to shore up its battered reputation as a global exporter yesterday by releasing a policy paper that touted its food-safety record and current campaign to crack down on poor - and potentially dangerous - food-processing practices.

The paper, issued by the information office of China's cabinet, the State Council, lists achievements and planned measures, from establishing a national food-recall system to increasing exchanges with quality-control officials in other countries.

Although the 39-page document breaks little new ground, its release underscores the communist leadership's drive to salvage the "Made in China" label, which has been tarnished by months of quality scares.

"China is a responsible country," the State Council paper said. "The Chinese government has stepped up active measures in enhancing food quality and ensuring food safety to protect the interests of consumers in both China and other countries."

Chin's exports have been under fire, especially in the United States, its most important export market. Regulators have turned up tainted pet-food ingredients, and seafood and toothpaste containing potentially dangerous chemicals and drugs. This week, Mattel Inc. issued its second recall of Chinese-made toys this summer because of lead-tainted paint and tiny magnets that could be swallowed by children.

While initially reluctant to acknowledge there was a problem - a common position by Chinese officials at all levels - authorities have since thrown themselves into the campaign to protect export industries and bolster the country's image for next year's Olympic Games in Beijing.

"China has not handled the crisis well so far, but its statements and actions show a desire for improvement," said Gene Grabowski, a senior vice president at a Washington-based public relations firm, Levick Strategic Communications, which works with large food and consumer-goods companies.

In recent weeks, government leaders and agencies have announced stringent measures almost daily to rectify the situation.

According to the policy paper, China exported 24 million tons of food last year to more than 200 countries, 13 percent more than during the same period in 2005. Seafood, vegetables and canned goods were among the most popular products. Japan, the United States and South Korea have been the three biggest importers.

"For years, over 99 percent of China's food exports have been up to standard," the paper said.

It also said that an average of 89.2 percent of food products in the country's 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities passed quality checks in the first half of 2007.

The paper outlined measures to protect food quality, including increased random inspections, widespread closures of unlicensed manufacturers and restaurants, large-scale seizures of substandard goods, and implementation of a national recall system. Few details were given.

The Chinese government will adopt tougher measures to guarantee that no substandard food is exported overseas by improving surveillance in all steps of the production process and blacklisting violators, the paper said.

Also yesterday, China announced it had appointed Vice Premier Wu Yi, its top troubleshooter, to head a previously announced cabinet-level panel to oversee product quality and food safety.