China fines e-commerce giants $527 million over food safety lapses

China's State Administration for Market Regulation has fined seven major e-commerce platforms 3.6 billion yuan for food safety violations. Companies including Alibaba Group Taobao, JD.com, Meituan and Pinduoduo allowed unverified vendors and "ghost food deliveries," breaching regulations. Authorities also penalised executives and imposed strict corrective measures on platforms.