From June 1, China mandates tamper-evident seals for food delivery. Consumers have the right to refuse orders if seals are missing or damaged. Learn how to inspect and claim.
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Source: OT-Team(G), 光明网
China’s online food delivery industry entered a new regulatory era on June 1, as the Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Online Catering Service Operators’ Implementation of Food Safety Responsibilities officially came into force.
The new rules introduce stricter food safety requirements for restaurants, delivery personnel, and platform operators, with a particular focus on preventing food tampering and contamination during delivery.
The changes affect China’s vast online food delivery market, which now serves 545 million users nationwide. As food delivery has become an integral part of daily life, concerns over food safety have remained a persistent issue. Consumers have reported problems ranging from missing items and insufficient portions to food contamination caused by rainwater, dust, insects, or unauthorized tampering during transit.
Tamper-Evident Seals Become Mandatory
One of the most notable changes under the new regulations is the mandatory use of tamper-evident food safety seals.
Restaurants operating on delivery platforms are now required to package and seal food orders in a manner that cannot be restored once opened. The measure is designed to ensure that any attempt to access a meal during delivery is immediately visible and to reduce the risk of contamination before the food reaches consumers.
The nationwide requirement builds on years of local pilot programs. Before standardized practices were introduced, sealing methods varied considerably across the industry. Some restaurants relied on staples or ordinary adhesive tape, while others did not seal orders at all, creating potential food safety risks.
Efforts to promote food safety seals first emerged in several cities and provinces. In 2018, Beijing’s Haidian District launched a pilot food safety seal program in cooperation with major delivery platforms. Similar initiatives were later introduced in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hunan Province, Jiangsu Province, and other regions, accompanied by local implementation standards.
Industry observers say the new national regulations represent a significant step forward. In addition to requiring tamper-evident seals, the rules provide more detailed standards for packaging materials and clarify the responsibilities of all parties involved in the delivery process.
“For China’s rapidly growing food delivery industry, food safety seals have evolved from an optional feature into a necessity,” said Zhu Danpeng, a food industry analyst. He noted that previous national guidelines had already encouraged the use of such seals, while the new regulations establish more comprehensive and enforceable requirements.
Clearer Responsibilities for Restaurants, Riders and Platforms
The regulations establish a three-party accountability framework involving restaurants, delivery personnel and platform operators.
Restaurants are responsible for using compliant packaging materials and ensuring that food is properly sealed before dispatch. Delivery personnel must use safe delivery containers and carry out regular cleaning and disinfection to prevent contamination during transportation. Delivery platforms are required to strengthen food safety management systems, verify and maintain merchant information, conduct risk assessments and ensure regulatory compliance.
Legal experts say the framework creates a more complete chain of accountability across the online food delivery ecosystem.
Industry insiders also believe the widespread use of food safety seals could benefit all stakeholders. For restaurants, sealed packaging reduces food safety risks during transportation and helps maintain food quality and presentation. For consumers, the seals provide visible assurance that meals have not been tampered with. Delivery platforms may also see fewer disputes related to food safety claims.
According to data released by market regulators in Feng County, Baoji City, Shaanxi Province, complaint rates fell by 81% after food safety seal usage was incorporated into merchant responsibility assessments and delivery service evaluations, while compliance awareness among businesses improved significantly.
What Consumers Should Look for When Ordering
As the new rules take effect, market regulators and consumer protection authorities are encouraging consumers to pay closer attention to several key indicators when ordering food online.
Verify business licenses and qualifications. The regulations require online food vendors to operate from physical business locations and hold valid food business permits. Consumers are advised to review merchants’ licensing information displayed on delivery platforms and exercise caution if the listed business address does not match the actual operating location, as such discrepancies may indicate the presence of so-called “ghost kitchens.”
Check for “No Dine-In Service” labels. Merchants that do not provide dine-in services must now prominently display a “No Dine-In” identifier on their platform pages, allowing consumers to make more informed choices.
Inspect food safety seals upon delivery. Consumers should confirm that their order is secured with a food safety seal and that the seal remains intact. If no seal is present or if it appears damaged, consumers have the right to refuse the order and retain photographic evidence.
Give preference to “transparent kitchen” merchants. Under the regulations, restaurants that participate in China’s “Internet + Open Kitchen” initiative must provide a prominent link on their platform pages. Through these links, consumers can view live footage of food preparation areas and monitor kitchen operations in real time.
Compare online store names with storefront information. The rules require online store names to match the names displayed on the physical business premises. Consumers are encouraged to compare merchant information and uploaded storefront photographs before placing an order.
Be alert to order-transfer schemes. Restaurants are prohibited from outsourcing orders to other food operators or directing customers to cancel platform orders and reorder through private messaging groups or other unofficial channels. Authorities warn that such practices may increase food safety risks and reduce consumer protections.
What Happens If a Seal Is Broken?
Food safety seals are expected to play an increasingly important role in food delivery disputes because they provide visible evidence of whether a meal may have been opened or contaminated during transit.
Consumer advocates recommend checking the seal immediately upon receiving an order. If a seal is missing or damaged, customers may refuse the delivery and submit complaints through the platform, China’s 12315 consumer protection hotline, or other official complaint channels.
Legal experts note that liability will depend on the source of the problem. If the issue results from a restaurant’s use of non-compliant packaging materials or food containers, consumers may seek compensation from the merchant. Delivery platforms are required to provide the merchant’s registered name, address and contact information when necessary. Businesses that fail to comply with the regulations may face fines ranging from RMB 10,000 to RMB 100,000.
If contamination or damage occurs during the delivery process, consumers may pursue claims against either the merchant or the platform, while regulators may impose penalties on the responsible party in accordance with applicable laws.
Authorities also advise consumers to keep order records, photographs of delivered items and relevant communication records as evidence should a food safety issue or consumer dispute arise.
With the regulations now in force nationwide, officials say the measures are intended to strengthen oversight of China’s booming food delivery sector and provide consumers with greater confidence in the safety of the meals arriving at their doorsteps.
For the original Chinese version of the regulations, please refer to:
https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/2026/issue_12726/202605/content_7068084.html