On May 26, 2026, Shanghai rolled out China’s first-ever electronic license verification application tailored for the online catering sector. By dismantling data silos among regulatory bodies, platforms, and merchants, the system establishes a reliable verification framework characterized by “authentic personnel, valid licenses, and genuine establishments.” This framework forms a seamless digital management loop encompassing “application submission, data comparison, authorization, and license display.” Through dynamic government-enterprise data exchange and bidirectional verification, the platform evolves from a passive “order reviewer” into an active “co-governance participant,” targeting the root causes of “ghost food delivery”—a phenomenon where unlicensed or non-existent restaurants operate online. When merchants apply to join a platform, their information undergoes real-time cross-checking against official government databases, automatically filtering out fraudulent data. Once verified, the merchant’s legal representative must complete real-name authentication and authorization via the official “Electronic Business License” mini-program. Platforms then gain access to official, tamper-proof electronic licenses embedded with the platform’s name and a timestamp, guaranteeing “valid licenses for genuine establishments.” This license data is prominently displayed on the merchant’s store homepage, enabling full transparency, dynamic updates, and instant verification by consumers and regulators alike. Looking ahead, the application is poised to integrate with initiatives such as “Internet + Open Kitchen” programs and AI-driven smart inspections. This synergy will enable precise issue identification and closed-loop rectification, further strengthening food safety governance in the digital age.