Foundation, university to train food-safety experts

A foundation in Hangzhou is helping to plant the seeds of food safety amid increasing public concern over the industry.

Zhejiang Fuli Charity Foundation, based in the capital of Zhejiang province, is helping to develop technology, train talent and invest in education to support food safety.

Zong Fuli, founder of the foundation and president of Hangzhou Hongsheng Beverage Group Ltd, donated 100 million yuan ($16 million) to cooperate with Xi'an Jiaotong University to set up Fuli Food Science and Engineering College at the university in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province.

The agreement between the foundation and the university was signed on May 14.

In 2011, Zong also donated 70 million yuan to cooperate with Zhejiang University to build the Fuli Food Research Institute in the Hangzhou-based university.

"The Food Science and Engineering College will train high-end industrial professionals, support the research and development of food safety and continue to narrow the gap between food and beverage industries in China and foreign countries," Zong said.

She hoped to use such a professional research platform to promote the development of the industry to help provide safe and reliable food.

Currently, advanced automation equipment and technology for high-quality food processing are mostly imported. The newly established college aims to upgrade China's food industry through talent development, scientific research and technological innovation to transform the industry from being "made in China" to a "created in China" one, Zong said.

The donation from the foundation under Hangzhou Hongsheng Beverage Group Ltd will be used for the college's laboratory equipment and infrastructure construction, international exchanges, teachers' salaries and high-end talent cultivation in the food industry.