Science and Technology Daily:

We know that with the improvement of living standards, people want to eat well and eat healthily. What considerations does the MARA have in promoting healthy food consumption among urban and rural residents?

Lei Liugong:

As we all know, food is something we consume every day. Sufficient food supply and continuous improvement in nutrition are the material basis to ensure the people's happy life. Currently, China's per capita supply of energy, protein, and fat has exceeded the world's average, but nutritional imbalance and inadequacy are relatively common, which can be summarized as either excessive or inadequate intake. Excessive intake refers to excessive consumption of edible vegetable oil. Currently, China's per capita consumption of cooking oil exceeds 40% more than what is recommended. Meanwhile, inadequate intake refers to the insufficient intake of healthy foods such as milk and dairy products and soybeans and soy products. Currently, China's per capita consumption of dairy products is only one-third of the world average and one-half of the Asian average, far below the recommended dietary amount of 110-183 kg. The intake of soybeans and soy products is less than 59% of the recommended dietary amount, and there is considerable room for growth in both these aspects.

Next, the MARA will work with relevant departments to integrate the construction of a healthy China and the development of a strong agricultural nation, taking a series of measures to promote healthy consumption in order to meet the needs of people's high-quality lives and high-quality population development. First, we will further promote improvements in variety and quality as well as brand building and standardized production. By developing new types of soy products, cheese, and other healthy foods, we will increase the supply of green and high-quality products to enrich consumers' dining tables from a production perspective. Second, we will strengthen the supervision of quality, safe agricultural products, fully implement the standard certification system of edible agricultural products, and ensure safety control so as to reassure consumers about food safety from a regulatory perspective. Third, we will strengthen the publicity of food and nutrition knowledge on key topics such as reducing oil intake and increasing beans, and guide urban and rural residents to adjust their dietary habits and food structure. We aim to make sure that the general public will make informed choices, eat healthily, and maintain their well-being. Thank you.