Citizens can scan the QR code to check the information of the vegetables they buy. [Photo/Zhongshan Daily]

Zhongshan started the construction of meat and vegetable traceability system since late 2013, according to the Zhongshan Bureau of Commerce. Up to now, a total of 607 traceability sites are built to basically cover all standardized markets, supermarkets and some medium-sized and above catering enterprises, schools and hospitals in Zhongshan, initially achieving the regulatory goal of "tracking the origin and circulation of pork and vegetables".

This year, Zhongshan has launched innovative work on important product traceability and meat and vegetable traceability, and will invest more than 3 million yuan in the whole year to further improve and develop the traceability system.

A Zhongshan Daily reporter on September 15 followed the staff of the Zhongshan Bureau of Commerce to experience the QR-code-based meat and vegetable traceability system on the spot. In Carrefour in the Dasin Metro-Mall in East District, by scanning the QR code, the reporter received all relevant information about the vegetables, including place of origin, time of purchase and batch number.

At the Sanxi Market, the reporter found that each stall had its own QR code. Consumers can scan the code to check stall owner's name, meat and vegetable types and places of origin, and other distribution information.

"By scanning the QR code, people can trace the whole distribution process," said an official from the Zhongshan Bureau of Commerce, adding that consumers can also trace the source according to the information on the traceability receipt or by scanning the QR code, and find the responsibility body if they feel unwell after eating meat or vegetables.