On October 18, the 2024 Shanxi Province Food Safety Awareness Week was officially launched in Pingyao County, Jinzhong City. This year’s theme, “Integrity, Frugality, and Shared Food Safety,” aims to promote ethical practices among food enterprises and ensure compliance with legal regulations in food production and operation. The initiative also seeks to reinforce efforts against food waste, advocate for a culture of “prudent consumption and anti-waste,” and encourage active participation from the community in food safety governance, ultimately fostering a collaborative and comprehensive food safety framework.
During the launch ceremony, Shanxi Province’s Deputy Governor and Deputy Director of the Food and Drug Safety Committee, Tang Zhiping, declared the event officially open. Representatives from Pingyao County, Shanxi Pingyao Beef Group, Pingyao Seasons Hotel Management Company, and Pingyao Modern Engineering Technical School shared their experiences on enforcing local food safety management responsibilities and ensuring the safety of food in tourist areas and schools. Additionally, delivery personnel and students acted as representatives of community food safety supervisors, expressing their commitments to uphold these standards.
Following the opening, a simulated emergency drill was conducted to prepare for food safety incidents. This drill was based on a real-world scenario where visitors consumed locally-sourced food contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus during the Labor Day holiday, resulting in foodborne illnesses across various locations in the province. The response involved initiating the Shanxi Province Food Safety Emergency Response Plan (Level II) to effectively investigate, address, and manage public concerns regarding the incident.
The drill implemented an innovative approach with a “provincial command center coordinating four cities and one district,” aimed at assessing the scientific and practical aspects of the Shanxi Province Food Safety Emergency Response Plan. It also focused on improving the emergency response capabilities and coordination among different levels of government and departments.
In addition, the outcomes from this drill will lead to the creation of the “Shanxi Province Food Safety Emergency Response Guideline Manual,” which will serve as a practical guide for local food safety committees and offices to manage food safety emergencies and public sentiment effectively.
Juju Zhen, Director of the Shanxi Province Market Regulation Bureau and head of the Food and Drug Safety Office, expressed hopes that through widespread food safety education and the promotion of a consumption mindset focused on “prudent spending and anti-waste,” consumers would enhance their food safety awareness and actively engage in governance efforts. This initiative aims to cultivate a deeper value alignment and behavioral norms centered around food safety culture.
The event is organized by the Shanxi Province Food and Drug Safety Committee, with coordination from the Shanxi Province Food and Drug Safety Office and the Jinzhong City People’s Government.
