Proposal focuses on safety of food online

China's online trading platforms might be held accountable for substandard food sold through their websites, one effect of tougher rules on food safety contained in a draft amendment being reviewed by the top legislature.

Online platforms would be required to register the information of food sellers, including their names and addresses, under the draft amendment to the Food Safety Law, which is to be deliberated this week. Sellers' licenses would also need to be verified.

Under the draft, which was released for public comment, consumers would be allowed to claim compensation from both the food producer and the seller if their rights have been violated. If a trading website is unable to provide the addresses and contacts of online sellers, consumers could also claim compensation from the online shopping sites.