Beijing is planning to compile its first dossier on food safety, later this year.

The Food Safety Credit Index will monitor the food brands sold in supermarkets and wholesale, and assess their safety standards.

This is to tackle cases of food producers releasing products which containing expired ingredients, which can have big health implications for consumers.

The Industrial and Commercial Bureau plan to publish the Index every three to six months.

The Bureau's Director-General Zhang Zhikuan says it will function as a quality spot check for consumers, a means of self-examination for enterprises and as a social report.  

(CRI January 5, 2005)