Starting on Friday, Beijing will require that all imported cold chain food be checked before going to market.

The rule is designed to further ensure food safety going forward. Imported cold food that has already arrived can continue to be sold.

There are 26 checkpoints ready for the procedure in 10 districts, covering all main channels into the capital.

Starting in November 2020, the origin and flow of all imported cold-storage meat and aquatic products in Beijing have been traceable — part of an effort to prevent the COVID-19.

Under the new rule, businesses dealing with imported cold food will be required to make reservation before being checked.

They also need to upload data about their products, including origin and flow, to a digital platform, according to the Beijing Administration for Market Regulation.

Recently, Beijing's Changping district started to publicize the new regulation to merchants, asking them to prepare, so that supplies of the food remain stable.

Yao Yuxin contributed to this story.