Toutunhe's traceability system safeguards food security

( chinadaily.com.cn )

Updated: 2018-07-19

Urumqi Economic and Technological Development Zone (Toutunhe district) has implemented a food traceability system with the aim of creating a national food safety demonstration area.

A comprehensive 800,000-yuan ($118,546.62) management platform, part of the food traceability system, was recently put into use for the sale of edible agricultural products.

Customers can scan a quick response (QR) code on their shopping receipt to get access to the stocking bills and product inspection report, gaining better insights into the source and safety of their food.

Xinjiang Haihong International Logistics Port in Toutunhe district is a pilot zone for the system and requires each of its stores to provide a QR code to customers in addition to a shopping receipt.

The QR code provided by stores in Xinjiang Haihong International Logistics Port in Toutunhe district. [Photo/uetd.gov.cn]

For customers, the code not only provides a means of learning about their food, but also serves as a channel for them to defend their rights and interests, said a Toutunhe local named Du Chunxi.

Du scans a QR code to get food-related information at a supermarket. [Photo/uetd.gov.cn]

Product dealers should ask for qualifications from the manufacturers and input the information, helping to improve the quality of purchase channels and manufacturing enterprises, said Tan Jiadi, a seafood dealer in Xinjiang Haihong International Logistics Port.

At present, the management platform has supervised 8,000 different types of foods in Toutunhe. In the future, the platform will be applied to schools, kindergartens, staff canteens and the catering industry in the district.