Sam's Club Summoned by China's Market Regulator Over Recurring Food Safety Issues

China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has summoned the head of Walmart (China) Investment Co Ltd, the parent company of Sam's Club, for a regulatory meeting following a series of food safety violations discovered at both physical stores and online outlets in recent periods, the regulator announced today.

SAMR ordered Sam's Club to strictly comply with food safety laws and regulations in its operations. The regulator stressed that the company must strengthen its food safety awareness, fully assume its responsibility for food safety, actively fulfill its social responsibilities, strictly prevent risks across the entire supply chain, and effectively safeguard public food safety.

In response to the regulatory summons, Sam's Club China told The Paper: "Recently, we accepted regulatory guidance and a summons from the market supervision authorities. We fully acknowledge, deeply reflect upon, and sincerely accept the issues and rectification requirements identified by the regulator during the meeting. We deeply apologize for the trouble and inconvenience caused to our members."

Sam's Club China added that it has established a special task force led by management and has immediately launched a comprehensive, omni-channel, and full-chain self-inspection and rectification.