Toward Full-Chain Legal Regulation of the Pre-prepared Dish Industry

In recent years, driven by the continuous expansion of consumer demand and the strengthening of policy support, China’s pre-prepared dish industry has experienced rapid growth. Owing to its more complex production processes and longer industrial chain compared with conventional food products, the pre-prepared dish sector has given rise to a series of specific issues concerning food safety and consumer rights. Consumer disputes over pre-prepared dishes, epitomized by the “Xibei Pre-prepared Dish Incident”, reveal substantial ambiguities in existing legal provisions regarding the definition of pre-prepared dishes, the boundaries of their application, and whether catering operators bear the obligation to inform consumers. Furthermore, there remains a significant divergence in public perception. Therefore, it is essential to enhance relevant systems from the perspective of legal regulation, focusing on safety standards, the notification obligations of producers and operators, consumers’ right to information, and risk regulation across the entire industrial chain. This approach will ensure the healthy development of the pre-prepared dish industry, meet consumer demands, and boost market vitality, while safeguarding food safety and protecting consumers’ legitimate rights and interests.