With the rapid development of the pre-prepared dish industry, it has become a new force in the food sector, both domestically and internationally. According to industry statistics, there are now more than 70,000 pre-prepared dish processing companies in China, and by 2023, the industry’s output value has surpassed 500 billion yuan, setting the stage for a trillion-yuan market in the coming years. Recently, six departments, including the State Administration for Market Regulation, jointly issued the Notice on Strengthening Food Safety Supervision and Promoting the High-Quality Development of the Pre-prepared Dish Industry. For the first time, this notice clearly defines the scope of pre-prepared dishes and introduces stricter food safety and quality standards. These new regulations are expected to have a profound impact on the industry’s future.

Challenges of an Industry Without Preservatives

One of the most significant changes outlined in the new regulations is the prohibition of preservatives in pre-prepared dishes. For a long time, the industry lacked a unified definition of what constitutes a pre-prepared dish, often dividing products into categories such as ready-to-eat, ready-to-heat, ready-to-cook, and ready-to-assemble based on the degree of processing involved. While ready-to-eat foods can be consumed immediately after opening, ready-to-heat foods require simple reheating, ready-to-cook dishes involve more complex preparation, and ready-to-assemble meals require consumers to season and cook them.

In the past, the boundaries of what could be classified as pre-prepared dishes were vague, leading to a wide variety of products falling under this category. However, the Notice has now clearly defined these boundaries, including the new requirement to avoid using preservatives, which has posed significant challenges for the industry. Pre-prepared food companies are now required to enhance their production processes and implement rigorous microbial testing and control measures to meet food safety standards.

For instance, chemical and microbial contamination are the two leading causes of foodborne illnesses, with 60% of food poisoning cases caused by pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, the new requirement not to use preservatives has increased the need for stricter hygiene and safety practices throughout the production process.

Opportunities in the Full Chain of Pre-prepared Dishes

The rise of the pre-prepared dish industry has created numerous opportunities across the entire supply chain, from raw material procurement and production to cold chain logistics and sales. The entire process of bringing pre-prepared dishes to the table involves more than ten stages, each of which requires careful monitoring to ensure food safety, nutritional retention, and quality preservation.

For example, in the early stages of production, strict control of raw materials is essential to prevent contamination. The next stage of production involves automated equipment that enhances efficiency and ensures consistency in quality, making the mechanization and automation of food processing key competitive advantages.

In the final stages, cold chain logistics play a crucial role in maintaining the freshness and flavor of pre-prepared dishes. Advanced refrigeration and freezing techniques, combined with precise temperature control and intelligent tracking systems, ensure that the dishes remain safe and nutritious throughout their journey from factory to consumer.

The Future Dining Experience: More Choices

The development of the pre-prepared dish industry is likely to have a profound impact on how people dine in the future. Drawing from the experiences of more mature markets such as the UK, pre-prepared dishes have already become a staple in British kitchens and dining tables. As these dishes become more widely accepted, they could offer Chinese consumers an entirely new way of dining, whether at home, in the office, or elsewhere.

In the workplace, for example, employees may opt to store pre-prepared dishes in office refrigerators and heat them up as needed, offering a quick and convenient alternative to restaurant meals or takeout. At home, families may combine fresh vegetables with pre-prepared dishes such as lion’s head meatballs or spicy stir-fried pork to create meals with greater variety and ease.

Conclusion

As the pre-prepared dish industry continues to grow, it presents both significant opportunities and challenges. While the market is expanding rapidly, producers must continually innovate to address concerns about food safety, nutritional value, and taste quality. At the same time, the industry must adapt to evolving consumer preferences and habits, ensuring that pre-prepared dishes can become a convenient, healthy, and enjoyable option for all.