The project was officially launched in early 2021 and will last for one year. It held its first consultation seminar using online video on March 7, 2021. The conference conducted extensive and adequate communications and discussions on themes such as the definition and scope of medical and food dual-purpose items, qualitative and quantitative evaluation of safety, and international exchanges. Experts at the meeting agreed that reinforcing identification of the variety of the world’s major medical and food dual-purpose items, improving scientific research capabilities and breaking through policy barriers will help promote the interconnection between China and the world, especially the countries along the “Belt and Road”, in the economic, cultural and health fields, and promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind. Subsequently, the project team conducted comprehensive consultations and solicited opinions with relevant technical experts, leaders from management department, and business people through various channels such as on-site interviews, letters, and telephone exchanges. The project team also made plans on the framework of the project and clarified the work plan for cooperation with relevant professors from the School of Pharmacy at the University of London. 

The project leaders, Xiao Peigen and Huang Luqi, also made arrangements for the next step. They will actively communicate with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Health Organization and other international agencies on management policies and regulations on medical and food dual-purpose items, dietary supplements and functional foods in Western countries. Efforts will be made to fully grasp the current status and trends in the world’s medical and food dual-purpose items, as well as existing structural problems, and form valuable research reports.