China established the Expert Committee for Healthcare, Food and Cosmetics Safety under the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) on Thursday to provide technical consultation and suggestions for policymakers.

The committee consists of a 35-member food safety expert subcommittee, which includes a special board for technical standardization and a special board for risk assessment. Another subcommittee on cosmetics safety consists of 37 members.

China still has a long way to go in supervising and managing its healthcare, food and cosmetics industries, according to Bian Zhenjia, a SFDA deputy director.

The industries have been plagued by exaggerated advertising and the illegal use of additives, Bian said, adding that the creation of the committee will help enhance risk assessment in the industries specified.

(Xinhua News Agency November 3, 2011)