China’s top legislature has approved a new food safety law aimed at tightening regulations and increasing penalties for violations, with the law set to take effect on December 1. The legislation specifically targets the bulk road transportation of key liquid foods and infant formula milk, introducing a licensing system and clearly defining the responsibilities of consignors, consignees, and transport operators.

This legislative move follows recent food safety scandals, including a July incident where over 200 children in a Gansu kindergarten were found with elevated lead levels linked to food contamination. The amendment seeks to restore public confidence in food safety, addressing concerns stemming from past crises such as the 2008 toxic infant milk scandal.