General Rules for the Examination of Food Business Licensing.

For the purpose of regulating food business licensing, these General Rules are formulated in accordance with the provisions of the Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, the Regulation on the Implementation of the Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, the Measures for the Administration of Food Trade Licensing and Recordation.
The General Rules apply to the examination of food business licensing applications by market regulation departments. The market regulation departments shall conduct classified examination of the applications for food business licensing according to the business forms and food business items of food business entities, and in light of the level of food safety risks.
The General Rules consist of 71 articles divided into 6 Chapters: General provisions; General requirements for license review; Requirements for license review of catering services; Requirements for license review of food sales; Requirements for license review of other types of food operations; and Supplementary provisions. The General Rules emphasize strict requirements for the review of canteen permits for centralized dining units such as schools and childcare institutions, and make provisions on the establishment of contracting management systems. The General Rules further strengthen the requirements for license review of canteen contracting operations in terms of risk prevention and control capabilities, cross provincial business operations, personnel, and management systems.