China is to offer bounties in exchange for food safety tip-offs, according to Reuters:
“Government departments at all levels must set up dedicated funds for a reward system for reporting on food safety,” the official Xinhua news agency cited a government directive as saying.
Rewards will be paid out if investigations prove the veracity of the tip-offs, it added.
Those who work for people or companies which adulterate food products are especially encouraged to participate, the report said.
Governments must also make sure they protect the identities of the tipsters to prevent “revenge attacks,” and will punish those who slander others with false reports or provide false information to get the rewards, Xinhua added.
Authorities have shown less enthusiasm for crowdsourced corruption accusations, banning sites such as iBribery.com earlier this year. Concerned citizens pointing out the location of new McDonald’s restaurants will not be eligible for rewards.
This week saw one suspended death sentence and several long prison terms passed by a Henan court on a group illegally selling clenbuterol to pig farmers.
