Wendy Zhang/ Shanghai Daily news

Shanghai plans to build 100 standard food markets this year and will transform the more than 700 food markets into standard ones in three years, said a spokesman with the Shanghai Economic Commission yesterday.
There are 15 standard food markets currently available; the first group of 20 standard food markets will be open to the public in the first half of the year after first being checked by the end of this month.
A standard food market must have thresholds for retailers to enter, and must offer complete functions, proper sanitation standards and orderly management. The approved sanitation standard is the core of the criteria.
The Shanghai government will subsidize renovations in the amount of 150,000 yuan and district-level governments will also support the renovations of local old food markets.
Although the food markets will have better facilities and conditions, no increases in food prices are expected, said an industry analyst.
Shanghai will also establish 20 food supermarkets this year, with more than half of them selling raw and fresh food. At present, nearly ten supermarkets of this type are available in the city. As a large quantity of lunch boxes are consumed every year, the city will increase supervision of the producers.