The northwestern province of Gansu, one of the country's major Muslim-inhabited regions, has enacted a law to protect the religious beliefs and catering customs of its Muslim people.

The law will come into effect on March 1 next year.

It was enacted partially because some food dealers are profiting from the sale of fake Muslim foods, infringing upon the interests of Muslims and ordinary consumers.

The new law stipulates that all enterprises which produce, process or sell Muslim foods should employ at least one Islamic managerial member who eats Muslim food. The supervisors at such enterprises should be Muslims who eat Muslim food.

The law also requires enterprises to employ Muslims who eat Muslim food to work at some key posts involving the slaughtering of animals, purchasing raw materials and making the food.

It also has a specific stipulation on Muslim food packaging and the use of trademarks.

Anyone breaking the law could be fined from 500 yuan (US$60) to 5,000 yuan.

(eastday.com December 14, 2002)