Chinese authorities have summoned representatives of US-based membership-only retailer Sam’s Club for a “formal accountability interview” in response to “frequent food safety issues”, reports the South China Morning Post.
According to a notice from the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), the Walmart-owned supermarket chain was urged to “prioritize food safety, strictly fulfil social corporate responsibilities, mitigate risks across the entire supply chain and safeguard public health” in its physical stores and online shops.
With its marketing emphasizing quality control and product selection, the warehouse retailer has in recent years become a status symbol among middle-class Chinese families. Quick expansion across mainland China gave it 63 stores in that market by the end of last year. But Sam’s Club has been hit by a series of food safety incidents across China over the past year, including reports of rats and maggots being found in its products.