A survey conducted by the Ministry of Commerce found
74.4 percent of Chinese rural consumers have started to pay
attention to food safety issue thanks to efforts aimed at promoting
'green' eating habits.
Rural consumers' reasons for choosing particular foods has
shifted from 'price priority' to 'quality and price priority' the
ministry said on its website on Monday.
In order to ensure food safety in rural areas the ministry
worked out policies to strengthen management over retail and
wholesale of farm produce and agricultural by-products. Meanwhile
food quality inspections and the crack down on the production and
sale of low quality food has intensified to protect the rights of
farmers.
In addition the ministry opened a 'green channel' to facilitate
the circulation of rural goods which not only lowered the
transportation costs and increased the transportation of fresh and
live farm produce but also made it possible for farmers to consume
safe food from other areas.
So far, China has opened more than 20 railway and highway 'green
channels' with combined have a total mileage of 67,000 km.
The ministry launched a green consumption campaign in the
country six years ago in cooperation with 12 other departments in
an effort to increase public awareness on food safety issues.
(Xinhua News Agency March 7, 2006)