Submitted by: Mark Wegemer

Ever since I was old enough to eat, I was a picky eater.  I would pick out every single tomato, every single mushroom, or every single thing that did not even look kosher.  Recently, within the last few years, I have expanded my palette and I now enjoy many things I didn’t think I would ever taste or even try again.  For example, two years ago, I had the opportunity to enjoy a Mexican Cruise through Carnival.  What was the one advice that everyone told me?  Eat.  The food there is amazing.  It was the beginning of my newfound experiences of trying new things to eat.  I tried sushi for the first time and now it’s my favorite dish.  I tried escargot, duck, fried oysters, and squid.  Well, the squid was interesting and the escargot was saturated in butter and garlic, so that could have been the explanation of its heavenliness.  Nonetheless I never forgot that experience and I continue to try new things when it comes to edibility. 

With this in mind, I plan to try new things in China.  I want to try local dishes and exotic dishes (maybe).  However, problems in the Chinese market with food related illnesses always had me hesitant with making the decision to try new things.  There was a problem with melamine in an infant formula a few months back.  Click here

Now, don’t get me wrong I love food, and I am happy to say that there has been a new food safety law, “promising tougher regulations and severe punishment for makers of bad products” (Click here - Read for more detail) in China.  Hopefully the restrictions will change the way the food industry works in China. 

After seeing this article, I quickly searched the current food law of the Republic of China and I laughed at its brevity.  Take a look. Click here

Now, compared to the United States click here the food and drug administration topples the requirements that China’s current law states.  This new law for safer regulations is set to come out June 1.  Will this change my mind completely to be worry free and try everything?  Of course not, but I am more reluctant now than ever before. 

How do you think the new law to be set in June will be acknowledged by the companies over there?  Will production decrease?  What about the people?  What about the visitors?  Do you think we will see regulations in China when we visit?

If you asked me, I think this could be the beginning of a new China, a China that imposes and regulates laws similar to ones from the United States.  China is on their way.