At the third session of the 14^th National People’s Congress Standing Committee on June 26, 2023, a new food safety law was drafted and submitted for review, with the goal of improving the country’s ability to ensure food safety and prevent incidents.

The law addresses issues specific to China, including the poor quality and finite amount of arable land, increasingly challenging grain production, and a lack of emergency support.

Data presented at the meeting suggests that soil pollution has increased by nearly 15 percent between 1980 and 2014. Additionally, excessive use of fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals have caused the health of water and agricultural ecosystems, posing a threat to the agrifood sector and food safety and quality.

The draft law also outlines consequences and administrative processes for handling illegal activities regarding land management and agrifood production, food safety, and food waste.