Strictly regulate preschool food safety! The State Administration for Market Regulation begins soliciting opinions

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, March 25 — Topic: Strict Regulation of Kindergarten Food Safety! The Market Supervision Administration Begins Soliciting Opinions

Xinhua News Agency Reporter Dai Xiahe

On March 25, the State Administration for Market Regulation announced that it, together with the Ministry of Education, has drafted the “Supervision and Management Regulations on Kindergarten Food Safety Responsibilities (Draft for Comments),” which is now open to public feedback.

This draft contains 32 articles, focusing on implementing the “Four Strictest” requirements for food safety and ensuring that responsibilities for kindergarten food safety are clearly assigned. It explicitly states that kindergarten food safety should be managed under a principal-responsibility system, with the appointment of a Food Safety Director and safety personnel, and strict enforcement of the “daily control, weekly inspection, and monthly scheduling” system. Additionally, considering the risk characteristics of kindergarten food safety, key aspects such as meal supply modes, ingredient procurement and acceptance, processing and production controls, restrictions on high-risk foods, and cleaning and disinfection of tableware are all clearly defined with specific responsibilities to ensure that each step is regulated and traceable.

Food safety in kindergartens is a major concern for parents and is highly valued by society. According to the Ministry of Education, there are over 250,000 kindergartens nationwide, with nearly 36 million children enrolled. Such a large group of young children, combined with the centralized meal service model, demands higher and stricter standards for food safety management.

The 32 items open for public comment mainly focus on seven areas, creating a comprehensive “protective net” for children’s food safety across the entire chain.

Accountability is the “cornerstone” of kindergarten food safety and the core of regulatory enforcement. The draft clearly states that kindergarten food safety should be managed under a principal-responsibility system. Whether it is the kindergarten cafeteria, contracted operators, or meal providers, all must legally appoint food safety management personnel, specify their qualifications and responsibilities, and truly assign accountability to individuals and ensure proper implementation. At the same time, dynamic risk prevention and control should be strengthened, with strict adherence to the “daily control, weekly inspection, and monthly scheduling” system. By establishing “three books”—daily inspection records, weekly analysis, and monthly summaries—and archiving relevant materials, risks can be precisely managed and timely responses ensured.

Ingredient safety is the “first line of defense” for children’s diets, and standardized processing is the “key link.” The draft, aligned with relevant guidelines, clarifies the entry requirements for ingredient suppliers, encourages regions and kindergartens with conditions to adopt open bidding and centralized procurement, and requires the establishment of supplier evaluation and exit mechanisms to control ingredient safety from the source. In processing, all parties must strictly comply with relevant laws, regulations, and standards—covering cafeteria layout, facilities and equipment, raw material storage, and meal preparation—to eliminate safety hazards.

The professionalism of cafeteria staff directly affects the quality of children’s meals. The draft explicitly states that kindergartens, contracted operators, and meal providers should strengthen staff training and assessments, especially focusing on food safety management personnel. Those who fail assessments or do not meet job requirements must immediately rectify issues and have their management qualifications suspended, ensuring all staff are competent and uphold safety standards.

To reassure parents, the new regulations also strengthen social supervision and promote a collaborative governance model involving families, schools, and communities. It encourages kindergartens to develop “Internet + Transparent Kitchen” systems with full-chain video monitoring; strictly implement meal accompaniment and information disclosure policies; enhance parent participation, internal supervision, and reward mechanisms for reporting violations, ensuring that teachers, students, and parents have the right to know, participate, and supervise, actively involving everyone in food safety oversight.

Additionally, the draft specifies strict disciplinary measures and delineates the “red line” for food safety violations: if kindergarten cafeterias, contracted operators, or meal providers violate relevant laws and regulations, they will face severe penalties, including “punishment to individuals” and bans from employment. Criminal violations will be transferred to judicial authorities for handling.

(Edited by: Wen Jing)