A mixed methods analysis of the implementation policy and practice gap of national food safety standards in China's grassroots areas (2023–2024) —— Based on the tracking evaluation in Ankang, Shaanxi Province

This study highlights the implementation barriers between national standards and grassroots governance realities. We propose our solutions: (1) Establish and Improve the Third-Party Tracking Evaluation Service System in Grassroots Areas; (2) Optimize Inter-departmental Collaboration Mechanisms and Enhance Standard-related Publicity, Training, and Professional Competence Assessment at the Grassroots Level; (3) Establish an Expert Team or Management Evaluation Institution for Food Safety Standards; (4) Enhance the Special Fund Guarantee Mechanism for Standard Tracking and Evaluation.