After the Food Safety Law of the People’s Republic of China (Draft Amendment for Approval) (hereinafter referred to as “the Draft”) is officially submitted to the 12^th NPC Standing Committee for deliberation. The Food Safety Law first amended in the past five years makes corresponding provisions on the qualification of network food operators and supervisory responsibility and compensation obligation of third-party platform providers.

As put forward by the Draft, third-party platform providers for network food transaction shall obtain food production and operation license. Meanwhile, the role is also specified that third-party platform providers for network food transaction play in supervising sellers on the platform, so that third-party platform providers for network food transaction who fail to perform specified obligations and thus cause damage to consumers’ legal rights and interests shall bear joint liability and compensate in advance. In addition, the food and drug administration which issues food production and operation licenses to third-party platform providers for network food transaction shall be responsible for supervision and management of such third-party platform providers for network food transaction.

The Draft also makes sterner provisions on punishment.