China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine has promulgated a notice saying that the qualification of national inspection-free products of all food enterprises must be cancelled immediately and inspection-free labels that are already printed on the packaging are no longer effective.

In view of the major food safety problem highlighted by Sanlu milk powder, the unique nature of food, and the complexity of food safety incidents, the AQSIQ has made the decision to suspend the inspection-free qualifications of all food enterprises to enforce supervision on food enterprises and to protect the consumer's interest.

The national inspection-free system was started in 2000 to avoid repeated inspection and reduce the burden on enterprises. To gain the qualification, an enterprise should voluntarily declare evidence of stability and long-term quality, a high market share, and a sound quality assurance system. Enterprises with inspection-free qualifications should report quality conditions annually, and the AQSIQ should carry out national supervision and spot-checks each year to ensure product quality.

The AQSIQ has already cancelled the inspection-free qualification and the title of brand name products of infant formula, milk powder, and sterilized milk of the Shijiazhuang Sanlu Group.

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