Sam's Club China has replaced its chairman following a regulatory interview with China's top market regulator over food safety concerns, according to corporate filings.
Walmart (China) Investment, the entity overseeing the warehouse club, or Sam's Club, business in China, updated its registration on June 15, showing that Muk Sook Yee had stepped down as legal representative and chairman, and Liu Peng had been appointed to both roles, according to data from Tianyancha, China's corporate information provider, said reports.
The change came on the same day the State Administration for Market Regulation, or SAMR, summoned Walmart (China) Investment's local unit for an interview, citing food safety issues identified through regulatory inspections and media reports across Sam's Club's physical stores and online channels. The regulator said the company must strengthen compliance, improve supply chain oversight, and ensure full accountability for food safety controls.
The company said in a statement that it has accepted the regulator's guidance and established a senior management-led task force to conduct a full review of its food safety systems. It added that it will implement corrective measures across procurement, logistics, and retail operations and report progress to the authorities.
