China is one of the markets with strict requirements for food safety and regulations on technical standards. For agricultural products, the General Administration of Customs of China (GAC) has issued Measures for Import and Export Food Safety Administration (GAC Decree No. 249) and Administrative Regulations on Registration of Foreign Imported Food Manufacturers (Decree No. 248) by GAC on April 12, 2021. Both regulations come into effect from January 1, 2022.

China is one of the markets with strict requirements for food safety and regulations on technical standards.

For agricultural products, the General Administration of Customs of China (GAC) has issued Measures for Import and Export Food Safety Administration (GAC Decree No. 249) and Administrative Regulations on Registration of Foreign Imported Food Manufacturers (Decree No. 248) by GAC on April 12, 2021. Both regulations come into effect from January 1, 2022.

Import and Export Food Safety Measures (GAC Decree No. 249) focus on the management of both import and export food chains, with the aim of reducing food safety risks. The new GAC Decree No. 249 has integrated a number of import and export food safety regulations and rules, including regulations for specific food products such as meat, dairy and aquatic products. It also includes requirements for record keeping by importers and exporters.

Regarding product labeling, GAC requires that the packaging and labeling of food must comply with Chinese requirements. Furthermore, imported food products will be accompanied by instructions for use in Chinese language. In addition, GAC Decree No. 249 sets out specific packaging requirements for fresh meat products and chilled seafood products. For imported health supplements and dietary supplements, the Measure requires that the labels in Chinese languague must be printed on the smallest scale and not be affixed to it. GAC Decree No. 249 lists at least seven items that are subject to on-site inspection when food products are exported to China, including labels, packaging, transportation vehicles, storage areas, etc. …

For example, for fruit and vegetable products, these products exported to this market must register information on gardeners, factories, and packaging to be sent to Chinese Customs. Information includes: Name of fruit product; the origin; packing house name or number in Chinese or English. Businesses can add labels to supplement the above information and have barcodes, QR codes or anti-counterfeiting stamps to check at any time.

In addition, for tobacco products, in April 2022, China informed WTO member countries about the introduction of a draft Regulation on warning signs on e-cigarette products. This measure stipulates the content, location, area, font size and other requirements on warning signs demonstrated on the packaging of e-cigarettes. This measure is applied to e-cigarette products consumed in the territory of China.