In a significant move preceding the 44th World Consumer Rights Day, China’s judicial and market regulatory authorities have launched coordinated efforts to combat counterfeit and substandard goods nationwide. The Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP) and Supreme People’s Court (SPC) have released landmark case studies demonstrating their intensified approach to protecting consumer rights and punishing offenders involved in production and distribution of fraudulent products.
Prosecutorial data reveals substantial enforcement actions throughout 2025, with nationwide organs approving arrests of 5,745 suspects involved in counterfeit goods operations while prosecuting 18,376 individuals. Food and drug safety received particular emphasis, with prosecutors bringing charges in 5,026 food-related criminal cases involving 9,595 people and 2,135 drug-related cases involving 4,043 individuals.
One illustrative case from Jiangsu province involved a criminal enterprise that established two companies between 2021-2023 to produce and distribute snacks containing illegal additives with laxative effects. The operation distributed products through e-commerce platforms to over 20 provincial regions, generating approximately 26 million yuan ($3.77 million) in sales. In March 2025, three primary perpetrators received prison sentences ranging from 5.5 to 11.5 years alongside substantial financial penalties.
The SPP has committed to tracing complete upstream and downstream supply chains of counterfeit operations, dismantling criminal networks through enhanced inter-agency coordination and improved administrative-criminal justice linkages. Simultaneously, the SPC released typical consumer protection cases, including one where courts upheld punitive damages equal to ten times the purchase price against a merchant selling weight-loss products containing prohibited ingredients after the associated company had lost its business license over a decade prior.
Concurrently, the State Administration for Market Regulation and Ministry of Public Security have initiated a specialized nationwide campaign targeting fraud in traditional crafts markets. This initiative addresses widespread misconduct including forged inspection certificates,虚假 marketing schemes, counterfeit institutions, and inferior products misrepresented as premium goods in sectors such as jewelry, precious metals, and rosewood artifacts.
Judicial authorities emphasize that creating a safe, fair, and trustworthy consumption environment remains a priority, with continued focus on emerging challenges in online commerce, new business sectors, and food and drug safety through timely judicial interpretations and standardized development protocols.