Analysis of the current usage of local characteristic plant raw material in 8 provinces of China and recommendations for standard management

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the current usage of local plant raw materials in some provinces of China, summarize the existing problems in the establishment of local food safety standards and put forward suggestions for the scientific and reasonable formulation of local food safety standards of plant raw materials in the future.MethodsThe questionnaire survey was conducted in Yunnan, Guangdong, Shandong, Shaanxi, Zhejiang, Sichuan and Anhui provinces, covering the confusion of using plant raw materials in common food. Microsoft Excel 2019 was used for data export and collation, and the data was statistically analyzed.ResultsA total of 315 valid questionnaires were collected. Anoectochilus formosanus Hayata, Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo, Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz., Crocus sativus L., Rosa laevigata Michx., Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg were the most frequently mentioned. Most of the plant raw materials were cultivated in large area or local area within the province, and had more than 30 years of diet history. In industrial products, tea substitutes were the most common type. In cooking and dining food, soup or stewing with other foods were the most common use. Most of the respondents suggested establishing standards for raw materials and evaluating the food safety.ConclusionThe investigation highlighted the problems in using and management of plant raw materials in China. Therefore, it should strengthen the research on the background information of plant raw materials, conduct relevant research and scientifically formulate the local food safety standards based on risk assessment.

Keywords

• plant raw material
• questionnaire
• local standards for food safety