National Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety
The National Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety is one of China's
health research institutions that is affiliated with the Chinese Center
for Disease Control and Prevention. The Institute not only undertakes
basic research and field studies, but also organizes and conducts
nationwide research programs. In addition, the Institute gives advice
on the nutrition and food hygiene projects of the health units at the
provincial level. The Institute was formerly known as the Nutrition
Division of the National Institute of Health of the Public Health
Administration, which was established in 1941. After the founding of
the People's Republic of China, the Institute was affiliated with the
following leading bodies under the title of the Department of Nutrition
or the Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene:
| Dates
| Department Name
|
| 1950-1957
| National Institute of Health, Ministry of Public Health
|
| 1957-1983
| Institute of Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
|
| 1983-1985
| Institute of Health, China National Center for Preventive
Medicine
|
| 1985-1986
| Institute of Health, Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine
|
In April of 1986, the Institute of Nutrition and Food Hygiene was established under the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine.
The Institute comprises 13 departments some of which include Elderly
Nutrition, Maternal and Child Nutrition, Community Nutrition, School
Nutrition, Food Chemistry, and Food Toxicology. At present, the
Institute has a staff of 176, including 158 scientists and technicians
(16 Professors, 14 Associate Professors, 32 Research Associates, 39
Research Assistants, 2 Associate Technical Experts, 15 Chief
Technicians, and 40 Technicians and Technical Assistants) and 19
administrative and other employees. The Institute has been authorized
to award doctoral and masters degrees in the field of nutrition and
food hygiene. Since 1981, the Institute has been designated as the
FAO/WHO Collaborative Center for Food Contamination Monitoring in
China. The permanent office of the Chinese Nutrition Society is also
located in the Institute building.
The objectives of the Institute are to study the health-related
nutrition and food hygiene problems and to train nutrition and food
hygiene specialists. These objectives have been established for the
purposes of improving nutritional status, preventing food borne
diseases, and strengthening the physical fitness of the people.
