Whose responsibility is it?

In commenting on the national food quality watchdog's liabilities in the re-emergence of melamine-tainted dairy products, a former official with the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine gave this answer: It was not all the watchdog's fault.

That answer sounded unsettling to many who worry about food safety in this country. Had those in charge of overseeing food quality been more diligent in their duties, our foods would not have been contaminated to such an extent. This is why we felt that the administration deserved it when its former chief resigned for the melamine scandals.

But anger should not blind us from the truth. There was an oft-ignored truth in the former official's reply - his institution alone cannot guarantee what we eat and drink is safe because it is only one of many agencies in charge.