On January 11, 2019, the China Nutritional and Health Food Association (hereinafter referred to as “the CNHFA”) held the sixth meeting of the first board meeting. The meeting summarized the work of the CNHFA in 2018, deliberated the work plan for 2019, and studied measures to carry out the 100-day campaign spirit of rectifying the disorder in the health food market jointly deployed by the State Administration for Market Regulation and other organs. The meeting was chaired by Bian Zhenjia, president of the CNHFA, and attended by the director of the Special Food Security Control Department of the State Administration for Market Regulation.
On behalf of the secretariat of the CNHFA, Secretary-General Liu Xuecong reported on the work summary of 2018 and work plan for 2019. With safeguarding the interests of its members as the fundamental objective in 2018, the CNHFA has done a great job in representing the industry image, helping the government to implement polies, guiding people into a right direction. The CNHFA has been working hard and earnestly in fulfilling all our tasks:
First, the CNHFA conducted policy research to offer suggestions. The CNHFA undertook 7 projects entrusted by the Counsellors’ Office of the State Council, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the former China Food and Drug Administration, the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China, etc., and held 32 seminars. In addition, the CNHFA submitted 16 policy recommendations and research reports to the government, and gave over 10,000 suggestions as industry feedback.
Second, the CNHFA valued laws and regulation publicity and implementation, as well as popular science education. The CNHFA wrote 8 feature articles on the industry and 12 special media interviews, compiled and published 2 books, and made 8 popular science videos and reading materials. Besides, CNHFA held 21 large- and small-scale forums and training events attended by more than 5,000 people, and compiled and distributed over 200 drafts and reports on a wide range of activities.
Third, the CNHFA attached importance to interactions and networking among involved parties. The CNHFA has conducted cooperation and exchanges with 7 international organizations, 17 international associations and 5 education institutions across the globe, signed strategic cooperation agreements with a total of 8 international associations, paid bilateral and multilateral visits to 11 countries, and gave voice on behalf of the Chinese industry at 34 international conferences.
With the development strategy of “Vigor + Profession = Popularity”, the CNHFA proposed a work plan for 2019. In 2019, the CNHFA will play a crucial part in reflecting demands, strengthening self-discipline, tackling problems and safeguarding legitimate rights and interests of the industry, and keep building organizations, working hard, making innovations and improving abilities to execute.
President Bian Zhenjia affirmed the important achievements made by the CNHFA. Mr. Bian pointed out that as part and parcel of the big health industry, while bringing blue economic benefits to the society, nutrition and health food industry also contributes greatly to improved national quality and further construction of a healthy China. The CNHFA will remain committed to this endeavor. Nevertheless, the health food market has seen a series of prominent problems such as false propaganda, illegal advertising, consumer fraud, and the counterfeiting and selling of shoddy goods, which seriously harmed consumers’ legitimate rights and interests, disrupted market order, and led to strong public opinion. Such problems have grabbed attention from government sectors and sounded the alarm in the industry.
The CNHFA’s board of directors reached a consensus through research that member companies must troubleshoot existing problems, stick to bottom line thinking (legal, moral and safety bottom lines) and industry self-discipline, and offer more consumption guidance based on regulatory requirements put forward by the 100-day campaign. The CNHFA will conscientiously organize and launch plans to promote industry self-discipline, disseminate policies and regulations, and inspect risks of manufacturers in the health food industry; proactively carry out popular science education on health food, as well as China nutrition and health science dissemination program.
President Bian demands more efforts from companies in the industry for the sound development of the industry.
First, unhealthy atmosphere in the companies must be removed with unswerving resolution. Although the incident regarding Quanjian Group is not a problem brought about by the health food industry, it proved that unlawful behavior and fickleness did exist in the industry’s marketing process. Suspected pyramid schemes, illegal direct selling, conference selling, false or exaggerated promotion, etc. happen from time to time. Member companies of the CNHFA are expected to learn lessons and develop with discipline.
Second, with shared hatred, “good money” must drive out the bad in the industry. To clean up the industry, more conscience businesses and large enterprises are needed to join hands in creating a good order while improving themselves. The CNHFA will deal with problems in need of urgent solution seriously, yet it will not take any blame if there are not mistakes made by the industry..
Finally, industry confidence must be built with the guidance of craftsmanship spirit. The advancement and achievements of an industry cannot be separated from the confidence and persistence of the industry. Incidents happened over the years deprived the industry of its confidence and the whole industry has become exceptionally sensitive. We are supposed to offer high-quality products, and sell legally to work for better public health, win over public opinion and consumers’ trust.
