The food and drug safety hotline "12331" has received roughly 300 thousand complaints and consultation questions since it was established four years ago. More than 100 thousand tips about illegal and criminal activities have also been reported via the hotline, among which two-thirds were then successfully verified.

Last year, Shanghai citizens called in with 91,378 complaints and questions, and the trained staff responded to all of them. Within one year, 97.4 percent of complaints and questions were resolved. 

“12331” is a telephone number that anyone can dial to make official complaints or file reports on the quality and safety of food, dietary supplements, drugs, cosmetics and medical equipment in Shanghai. 

A new plan for rewarding people who call in with reports has been enacted since February 2016. The circumstances under which people can receive rewards have grown from 9 to 30 scenarios. As of today, 3,433 rewards worth nearly 2.4 million yuan have been paid by the Shanghai food and drug authorities.