China’s market regulators are stepping up efforts to combat fraudulent practices in the production of “sauce aroma” baijiu, a prized category of Chinese liquor. The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has released a new testing method designed to detect the illegal addition of edible alcohol to these traditional spirits.
New Standard to Ensure Authenticity
Sauce aroma baijiu is a cornerstone of China’s liquor industry, distinguished by its unique fermentation process. According to national standards, this type of baijiu must be produced exclusively through solid-state fermentation of grains, with absolutely no addition of edible alcohol permitted. The newly published standard, titled ‘Food Supplementary Testing Method: Screening for Edible Alcohol Adulteration in Sauce Aroma Baijiu’ (BJS202603), aims to uphold the integrity of this traditional product.
Advanced Technology for Detection
The new screening and testing method is backed by a comprehensive national database of sauce aroma baijiu. This database includes over 300 products from more than 100 enterprises located in key production regions across China, ensuring broad coverage and strong representativeness. The method utilizes in situ ionization coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry, combined with chemometric algorithms. This advanced technological approach allows for the establishment of precise identification models capable of rapid detection and high accuracy. It is designed to facilitate the quick screening of bulk samples, providing a robust technical foundation for cracking down on the adulteration of sauce aroma baijiu.
Enforcement and Industry Development
The SAMR has announced that local market regulatory departments will intensify their oversight throughout the entire production and distribution chain. By accelerating the application of this new testing method, authorities intend to strictly investigate and penalize illegal additive practices in sauce aroma baijiu production. Furthermore, the initiative seeks to urge liquor manufacturers and business operators to diligently fulfill their primary responsibility for food safety. This move is expected to foster the high-quality development of China’s baijiu industry, ensuring that consumers can trust the authenticity and quality of their cherished traditional liquors.
