SAMR orders Meiyijia to strengthen food safety protocols following investigation

China's market regulator has summoned executives of convenience store operator Meiyijia Holdings Co Ltd after inspections and media reports uncovered food safety violations, the State Administration for Market Regulation said on Monday.

The SAMR said it recently conducted a regulatory interview with the company's management team, requiring the retailer to strengthen food safety controls and fully comply with China's food safety laws and regulations.

The move followed a series of regulatory findings and media investigations that exposed food safety problems at several Meiyijia outlets, including the sale of expired products.

SAMR ordered the company to establish a comprehensive risk management and food traceability system covering its headquarters, regional operations, and individual stores, as well as all stages of its business operations.

The regulator said Meiyijia must strengthen oversight mechanisms throughout its franchise and retail network and fully implement its responsibilities as a food operator under China's food safety law and other relevant regulations governing chain food retailers.

The regulator also instructed the company to improve internal controls designed to identify and address food safety risks and to ensure products sold to consumers meet regulatory requirements.