Some skeptical of China's new food safety law(2)
The law "is very encouraging, it's progress, and American consumers can see the Chinese government really takes this issue seriously," said Luo Yunbo, director of the Food Science and Nutrition Engineering Institute at Beijing's China Agricultural University, who has advised lawmakers. "But it takes time as food safety is very complicated and all the problems won't be solved overnight, such as the morals of factory owners, and the education of the public," he said.
The milk scandal highlighted the gaps in China's food monitoring system, according to Luo and Wu. While the Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for China's cows, and several ministries are involved in getting their milk to consumers, no department took charge of the milk collection stations where the melamine was added.
"The new commission will address these issues of responsibility, and ensure the whole food chain is under control," promised Luo. "No country, including the USA, can promise 100% that food safety problems will not occur in the future."
In Beijing, shoppers welcomed the legislation, but sounded skeptical about its chances of success.
Liang Manchang, shopping for groceries in the Jingkelong supermarket in Sanlitun, hoped the new law would force manufacturers to guarantee quality. His wife, Jia Li, laughed off such optimism. "There are so many people and factories in China. At the local level they don't obey the laws of the central government. Why should this law be any different?" she asked.
