Food safety is crucial for our health, and food companies in China are increasingly getting certified to ensure it. State-owned companies and those with high media attention are more likely to achieve food safety certification. For small state-owned companies, emphasizing food safety in their mission statement helps, while larger ones benefit more from media attention. Non-state-owned companies can also get certified by focusing on food safety in their mission statement and getting media attention. This study offers new insights on how companies in China can improve food safety practices.