Nationwide sample survey on food waste

China has started an inaugural nationwide sample survey on food waste in its continued efforts to fight food waste.

In a circular jointly published online on Monday by the National Development and Reform Commission, the country's top economic planner, and the Ministry of Commerce, the two government departments said that by analyzing existing problems through the survey, targeted policy measures can be proposed and supervision and management regarding food waste can be strengthened, so that the work to tackle food waste can be stepped up.

According to the circular, the inaugural survey that started last year will cover around 30 cities above prefecture-level in each provincial-level region across the country, with the survey work due to be completed before Jan 10, 2024.

And the survey will cover mainly operators of catering businesses as well as residents in these cities.

By 2025, the survey will be further expanded to cover around 100 cities above prefecture-level, while some regions are also encouraged to extend the survey to counties, according to the circular.

Protection for vulnerable called for amid cold snap

A guideline to protect the public from extreme cold weather was issued by the National Administration of Disease Prevention and Control last week.

Infants, children, pregnant women and elderly people are among those who require extra protection, the administration said.

Others include people with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and respiratory illnesses, as well as people working outdoors, including traffic police, and sanitation, construction and delivery workers, the guideline said.

Greater efforts urged on transportation safety

The national commission for disaster prevention, reduction and relief issued a notice on Sunday asking relevant departments and local authorities to step up efforts to prevent accidents on subway lines, overpasses, underpasses and roads at risk of icing over.

It required close monitoring of weather conditions and more frequent alerts for snow, cold snaps and icy roads, a Ministry of Emergency Management news release said.

The commission also asked the departments and authorities to strengthen power supply systems, enhance grid monitoring and store enough coal to ensure thermal power plants' sound operations.

They should ensure the energy supply nationwide, swiftly dispatch disaster-relief supplies and crack down on price hikes of daily goods, the commission said.