City to set up demonstration science center to receive food-related tip-offs

Shanghai will set up a demonstration science center — which will receive tips-off on food-related irregularities and provide free fast testing services — in all 16 districts within one year, the city's food watchdog said.

Residents will be able to check Shanghai's blacklist information on food producers, the tracking system of food, and participate in food-related quizzes to win gifts at these centers.

They will also be able to pay public utility fees and recharge cell phones and transportation cards via the machines at the centers as well.

Tip-off and suggestions can be forwarded to these machines or to staff workers at the centers, and people can bring food to the centers for free fast testing.

More than 20 overseas students studying in Shanghai had a visit to two demonstration food and drug science centers in Pudong New Area and Minhang District in July.

They were introduced to some food safety knowledge, and then learned about Shanghai's blacklist system on food producers and the tracking system of food. Later the group witnessed fast testing technology detecting pesticide residue on vegetables.

The food and drug science center at the Lanling Road wet market in Pudong can conduct fast tests on over 12 items including pesticide residue, lean meat powder and nitrite.

At the Qibao Market Supervision and Management Station, they learnt about how Shanghai implements a real-time surveillance camera monitoring system on school and company canteens and restaurants.

"It's impressive to see the level of organization and the progress China has made with food regulation and food safety," said Kelly Pringle, a student from the United States.

"It is pretty good."

Mehmet Tuna Yanardag, a Turkish student, said the visit was "very informative."

"China has been constantly improving the policies on controlling these food safety standards, and now I feel more at ease," he said.

"Shanghai is quite safe for its food and I am very confident," said Yanardag.

There are three demonstration food and drug science centers in Shanghai so far.

Hu Min / SHINE