Implications from the Delaney Clause on Food Safety Policy in China

The Delaney Clause in the Federal Food,Drug and Cosmetic Act of the United States indicates that "no additive shall be deemed safe if it is found to induce cancer when ingested by man or animal,or if it is found,after tests which are appropriate for the evaluation of the safety of food additive,to induce cancer in man or animal".The clause is an example of "zero risk" criteria in food safety policy,which is responsible for confusing regulation of pesticide residues and food additives and leading to sharp conflict all over the world for 50 years.It greatly inspires us that:the "negligible risk" policy should be adopted for our food safety policy;food standard should be set at levels that balancing the needs of protecting consumer's health against the needs for an adequate,wholesome and economical food supply according to risk and benefit assessment;"zero risk" food can hardly be existed;the food recall system should be strengthened and food safety policy should be based on science,not emotion.