ObjectiveTo provide reference for food safety supervision and management by analyzing the characteristics and trends of food safety incidents reported by media in 2013 in china.

MethodsData were collected and collated from food safety incidents reported by printed media, major web portals, news websites and public opinion reports of the government during 2013.1.1 and 2013.12.31 with their occurrence characteristics and trends studied.

ResultsFood safety incidents reported by media added up to 740 cases during 2013.1.1 and 2013.12.31 in China, of which the most reported was in Guangdong province, with 130 accounting for 17.6% of the total, next followed by Shandong, Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces. The number of incidents reported for each month did not show an obvious trend, yet incidents occurred more frequently in September and October. As for related food types, 164 incidents (22.2% of the total) related to poultry meat and meat products; snacks were involved in 53 incidents, accounting for 7.2% of the total. Nearly 2/3 of the incidents resulted from problems of production and processing links, among which 13.9% were from the production of primary agricultural products, 10.2% and 8.0% from sales and circulation, and catering consumption respectively. About 40.3% of the food safety issues reported by media were related to circulation. As for nature of the incidents, pathogenic micro organisms, pesticides or veterinary drug residues and excessive contents of heavy metals was 22.2%, followed by processing with non-food raw materials or adding non-food chemicals. And 31.8% of hazards or potential hazards in reported food safety incidents during 2013 were food additives and illegal additives.

ConclusionFood safety incidents involving meat, meat products and snacks have a relatively higher occurrence. Food production, processing and circulation have become high risk links in food safety issues. Pathogenic micro organisms, pesticides or veterinary drug residues, excessive contents of heavy metals and violation of food additives management stipulations are relatively serious problems. Chemical hazard is one of the major hazards in food safety issues.