Stricter milk standards may restore public faith
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Xinhua: What changes have taken place in the quality of domestically produced infant formula milk powder?
Ma: After the Sanlu milk incident, the government developed a series of laws and regulations to strengthen the supervision of dairy products, and the relevant departments have also vowed to better carry out their responsibilities to supervise the industry. We strictly supervise the melamine content in dairy products, and according to the data from several random sampling surveys, they are within acceptable standards now. Overall, the dairy industry is developing in a better direction.
According to the No.42 document issued by the General Office of the State Council, one of the key emphases in work is to re-examine the licenses of the dairy companies, including infant formula milk powder companies. Only those who pass the examination and get the new license are permitted to produce, and those who fail to do so will be expelled from the market.
Xinhua: How can companies get the new license?
Ma: The details of the production license examination have been issued, and all the dairy enterprises have to prepare for the examination based on the details.
The preparation should be finished by the end of March. Those firms that fail the examination demonstrate that they cannot abide by the industrial standards.
We should also carry out guidance and supervision to ensure effective examination. Even if the enterprise obtains a production license, will it realize qualified production and keep the licensed production conditions?
We should strengthen our further supervision. Now, at least 15 percent of raw milk should be randomly inspected in all enterprises, and every week, supervision and inspection on dairy products especially infant formula milk powder should be carried out. If we can thoroughly do this, the dairy industry will enjoy better and safer development.
