GAIN-China Program Report （2008-001）
Compiled and published by PNDC of NDRC

GAIN-China Program team completed the first
quality control system for fortified flour

Flour nutritional fortification is a something new in China for flour mills, consumers and governmental regulatory bodies. The future development of flour nutritional fortification is determined by an effective and strict quality control system. As part of the GAIN sponsored promotional program of flour nutritional fortification in Shanxi and Gansu, a strict and comprehensive product quality control system has been designed for the first time based on the international and domestic working experiences. Trial implementation of the system in mills in the two provinces has produced encouraging results with amble room for continuous improvement with time. This system has made it possible for Chinese quality regulatory bodies to carry out comprehensive supervision and administration. The system will ensure effective promotion and application of fortified four in China.

1. Primary features of the new quality control system
Food safety is a highly regarded issue in China, especially the various nutrients supplemented to the flour will inevitably become a concern for the consumers. It is also a concern for some regulatory bodies due to lack of understanding. The program team designed both internal and external quality control safety mechanisms to address these concerns.

(1) Management of nutrient sources. The new system has broken the routine method and requires registration, follow-up and inspection of the source of each and every nutrient added to the premix in addition to the inspection of the finished fortified flour products.

(2) Management of production system. The expert groups dispatched by the program team to the fortified flour mills will conduct on-site inspection of the applicant’s production facilities. The inspection will mainly cover safety and quality administration systems including HACCP, GMP and ISO and operation conditions.
(3) Management of product quality testing capability. The expert groups will determine the applicants’ testing and analytical capabilities by inspecting relevant equipment and personnel. Only those mills with basic testing capability will be qualified for acquire fortified food labels.

(4) Management of on-site sampling. The expert groups will obtain samples of fortified flour at the production sites and send them to CDC of the Ministry of Health for determination of nutrient ingredients, contents and uniformity.

(5) Comparative management of nutrient sales volume versus four production volume. For the new quality control system designed by the program team, the external management primarily involves annual sampling and inspection on market with inspection results published in media. The labels of those producers who failed annual inspection will be revoked. It also includes a comparative monitoring of nutrient sales volume versus four production volume. The PNDC approval office will analyze and understand reliability of the premixes and accuracy of quantity added by collecting statistics of the sales volumes of all the nutrient producers and production volumes of fortified flour mills.

2. The important roles and significance of the new quality control system
The first quality control system for fortified flour in China designed by the program team has embodied “Strengthening food safety administration” meeting requirements called by the Chinese State Council and fully complied with the spirit of “Control the sources and establish standards” commented by the Minister of Health on fortified food administration. The new system is of remarkable significance in promotion of flour fortification in China as the followings:
(1) Improved quality assurance of flour mills
The technological foundation of the Chinese mill industry is fairly weak even with the introduction of advanced equipments and improvement in production scale and product quality. The HACCP, GMP and micronutrient testing required by the new system is alien for most flour mills. They must improve corporate management significantly by establishing these management systems and purchasing essential equipment if they wish to produce fortified flour. The new system has made it possible for the program team and regulatory bodies to monitor and guide the enterprises more effectively.

(2) Provided strong support for marketing and promotion
Food safety is a highly sensitive contemporary issue. Promotion of nutrients supplemented flour at present time will inevitably call in usual questioning and concerns. The new system designed by the program team targets at the source and represents a total management process. It will help improve safety management of the Chinese mill industry and facilitate systematic safety management. Flour mills, governmental agencies and consumers will perceive fortified flour as a product of higher quality, better safety and more balanced nutrition through understanding of the new system. In this perspective, a more effective management system is the best promotion for fortified flour. In fact, the new system in deed plays a role in food safety assurance. No quality issue ever occurs at flour mills approved and managed in accordance with requirements of the new system.
(3) Laid solid foundation for issuance of state regulations
Currently, the Chinese government is enacting state regulations on flour fortification. GAIN sponsored design of a quality control system has laid solid foundation for formulation of such regulations. Safety, effectiveness, necessity, quality assurance and feasibility have constituted the prerequisites for the government to issue a state regulation encouraging nationwide flour fortification. Establishment of the quality control system includes all the above essential elements and represents a key component of the regulation.

(4) Provided important reference and experience for law enforcement agencies in market surveillance
Trial implementation of the managerial system in the two provinces has provided reliable experience for comprehensive nationwide promotion of fortified flour. PNDC program office has begun to evaluate and approve enterprises nationwide in accordance with the new system. Meanwhile, the new system has provide relevant governmental agencies including the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, State Grain Administration, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture with important and successful experience in carrying out market supervision. We acknowledge the support, guidance and participation from Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Cereals and Oil Association, China National Association of Grain Sector, China National Food Industry Association, and Chinese Institute of Food Science and Technology during the trial implementation of the new system.
(We’d like to acknowledge the strong support offered in implementation of this program by executives, program officers and experts at GAIN headquarters and all the aforementioned domestic agencies and organizations.)