Shanghai puts teeth into e-food oversight

Shanghai will require companies that offer food ordering and delivery through online platforms to sign a contract committing them to unified standards of service.

The commitment, drawn up by the Shanghai food market watchdog, would require vendors to display their latest food operating license and to prepare food safely. The watchdog will keep a copy of the signed agreements to hold people accountable, according to the draft of the Shanghai Food Safety Law and Regulations that was recently submitted to the municipal legislative body for discussion.

"It will be the first time the rapidly developing online food ordering market has been brought under control through legislation in Shanghai," said Gu Zhenhua, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Food and Drug Administration. "All the vendors must register with their real names with the platforms and the platforms need to verify the qualifications of the vendors."