Foreign food importers will be able to tell certified Chinese food products from fake ones thanks to a "CIQ" mark that all legal food exports are required to carry on their packaging from next month, according to state-run China Daily.
The mark stands for China Inspection and Quarantine, which guarantees that the exports have passed quality tests, according to a regulation unveiled by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ).
The packages should also carry information such as the enterprise's name and address, batch number and production date so that any quality problems can be traced to the source.
The measure is aimed at guaranteeing the quality of Chinese food exports and curb illegal exports, according to the AQSIQ.
The move is necessary although it may increase costs for Chinese food exporters, said Huo Jianguo, president of the China Chamber of Commerce of Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Products and Animal By-products.
Inspection and quarantine agencies in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, said the new regulation is expected to affect some 20,000 shipments worth $100 million each year.
Read the full China Daily story here.
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