[Explanation] As a folk food for the Dragon Boat Festival, rice dumplings have a special cultural meaning in China. As the Dragon Boat Festival is approaching, the Zongzi International Standard Project has once again attracted attention.
[Commentary] At the 21st CAC Asia Regional Coordination Meeting held in September 2019, "Zongzi International Standard" officially passed the project review, and will be organized by the National Health and Health Commission, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the China Business Federation to organize relevant experts and enterprises. The working group, on behalf of China, took the lead in completing the standard setting work. Why set up unified international standards for Zongzi? Recently, a reporter from China News Agency interviewed Zhang Lijun, vice president of China Business Federation and chief engineer of standardization of China Business Federation.
[Telephone Interview] Zhang Lijun, Vice President of China Chamber of Commerce and Chief Engineer of Standardization of China Chamber of Commerce
Not only does it regulate the safety of food, but more importantly, it stipulates its quality, which will help our zongzi to do some international food circulation. We export this zongzi, whether it is exported abroad, our overseas Chinese and overseas Chinese, they like it very much, let alone zongzi is also our traditional Chinese, has a long history, representative, cultural characteristics of such a product , (Can) enhance our cultural self-confidence, enhance the international competitiveness and influence of Chinese food.
[Commentary] It is reported that Wufangzhai Group participated in and led the drafting of the standard as an industry representative. Xu Wei, the person in charge of the enterprise, introduced that in 2003, they had led the drafting of the domestic industry standards of zongzi, which played a role in promoting the development of the industry. With the development of the times, this standard also needs to advance with the times.
[Telephone interview] Xu Wei, director of Wufangzhai Group and deputy general manager of Wufangzhai Industrial Company
It is now 2020. Through this import and export trade, in fact, our products have been sold to some countries and regions such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc. In the process, we also found that various countries Especially for Chinese products, he may not have a special understanding. It may not be completely consistent with some health or some indicators. Therefore, we also think that if Zongzi wants to break through its current domestic consumption circle and then go to the world, it may need a higher standard to make it have more prospects for development.
【Explanation】For some people, Zongzi should have different tastes and should not question the establishment of a unified standard. Xu Wei explained that all foods have commonality and uniqueness. The international standard established this time does not treat Zongzi. The specific characteristics of materials and tastes are regulated, and more are the norms established in the field of food safety.
[Telephone interview] Xu Wei, director of Wufangzhai Group and deputy general manager of Wufangzhai Industrial Company
The standard we have to do is to find some common characteristics among these different countries, different nationalities, and different brands. For example, we want to use the leaves of a certain plant to wrap food made from glutinous rice or other grains, which is a popular definition. The leaves of this plant are diverse. What the leaves are like, or what the filling is like, is not specified in the standard. Collectively referred to as dumplings, if there is no such leaf, maybe everyone will think it is just a rice ball, which is the meaning of setting standards. The operation of those processes, such as my health, including these indicators of microbial physicochemical, I think (from) food safety considerations should have a common goal globally.
Fan Siyi reports from Beijing
Editor in charge: [Tao Guangxiong]