The regulations place the onus on platforms to vet and monitor their partners, and provide detailed records, said Cui Enxue, the CFDA’s head of inspection.
Delivery business operators should report violations of food safety laws to local food and drug authorities, and should stop using the services of providers who have been investigated or convicted for food safety issues, the regulation said.
Moreover, online sellers should get permits and licenses before commencing business, and should publish those prominently on their e-shops.
Platform providers face fines of up to 30,000 yuan (US$4,500) for violations, and can be held criminally responsible in serious cases, the CFDA announced.
According to Cui, online providers can be held accountable if consumers are harmed by food products purchased on their platforms, and compensation should be provided if the sellers cannot be found.
In March, the Shanghai Municipal Food and Drug Administration fined online food delivery service ele.me 120,000 yuan for allowing unqualified food vendors to operate via its mobile app.
The regulation also covers restaurants where food is prepared for delivery after orders are received online. The owners of the restaurants must also secure permits.
“It's a challenge for us to put all of them under effective supervision that will ensure all the cooks are healthy and that the raw materials used in the dishes are fresh," Cui said.