Regulatory Compliance Procedure of Prepackaged Food in China

Background

In recent years, more and more oversea companies export their food products to China positively. However, each year a large number of imported foods were destroyed or returned due to illegal food ingredients, unqualified product quality, incompliant Chinese label, etc. The rejection has brought unnecessary loss to import-export enterprises and the company credibility was influenced. In order to export food products to China successfully, relevant overseas companies shall pay attention to Chinese regulations, and make adequate preparations before exporting to China.

What is prepackaged food?

Prepackaged food refers to the foods prepackaged or made up in advance with a measured quantity in a container and have unified labeling of quality or volume within certain range.

Related laws, regulations and national standards

(Please click regulation names to download)

S.N.	Major Regulations
1	Laws and Regulations	Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China
2		Advertising Law of the People's Republic of China
3		Administrative Measure of Imported and Exported Food Safety
4		Administrative Provisions on Inspection and Supervision of Imported and Exported Prepackaged Food Label
5	General Standards	GB 2760-2014 The Usage of Food Additives
6		GB 14880-2012 The Usage of Nutrition Enhancers
7		GB 2761-2017 Maximum Levels of Fungal Toxin in Food
8		GB 2762-2017 Maximum Levels of Contaminant in Food
9		GB 2763-2016 Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides in Food
10		GB 29921-2013 Maximum Levels of Pathogens in Foods
11	Labeling Standards	GB 7718-2011 General Rules of the Labeling of Prepackaged Food
12		GB 28050-2011 General Rules for the Nutrition Labeling of Prepackaged Foods
13		GB 13432-2013 Labeling of Prepackaged Foods for Special Dietary Use

Essential items of qualified imported prepackaged food:

Eligible food ingredients
Qualified product quality
Compliant original label and Chinese label

Product regulatory compliance procedure

Step		Compliance operation
1	Product applicable national standard (GBs) analysis	Evaluate the product category and find an appropriate Chinese national standards (GBs) based on the formula, production process and etc.
2	Formula review	I. Analyze if all food raw materials and food additives are allowed to be used in this product. II. Analyze if the dosages of all ingredients are compliant.
3	Label translation, review and generation	I. Translate the original information into Chinese; II. Generate compliant Chinese label according to original information and Chinese regulations.
	Nutrition test	I. The nutrition information report of imported food should be submitted during the first time importing, which includes the energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, sodium, added nutrients, and other nutrients with nutrition claims. II. GB test in qualified lab before importing is an effective way to guarantee the product quality and avoid unnecessary rejection. For some foods, such as dairy products, vegetable oil, the GB test report is required to provide as well.
	GB items test
4	Importation	Provide required documents for customs clearance, including contract, invoice, certificate of origin, and other relevant certificates.

Our Service

We provide professional and comprehensive food regulatory compliance services as follows.

Prepackaged food applicable Chinese national standards (GBs) analysis
Prepackaged food formula (raw materials and food additives) review
Prepackaged food label translation, review or generation
Prepackaged food nutrition test
Prepackaged food GB test
Regulation updates monitoring
Regulation training
Other customized services (Ad-hoc consulting service and etc.)

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