In the US, three categories of claims can be used on food and dietary supplement labels, these include: nutrient content claims, health claims, and structure/function claims. In this article, we will introduce the requirements for these three claims in detail for your reference.

In an effort to standardize labeling practices among food producers and operators, strengthen supervision over food labeling, and promote transparency and consumer confidence in China, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has released the Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Food Labeling (Draft) for public comment.

On June 27, 2024, in accordance with the Food Safety Law and its implementation regulations, China's National Food Safety Standards Review Committee issued 14 national food safety standards for public comment. Please log in to the National Food Safety Standards Management Information System to submit your feedback online.

To thoroughly implement the current Food Safety Law of the People’s Republic of China, the Administrative Measures on Food Business Licensing and Filing, and to address common concerns regarding food business safety, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has recently revised and issued the General Rules for Food Business Licensing Review (hereinafter referred to as the “General Rules”), which will take into effect from the date of issuance.

In response to consumer complaints about difficulties finding, reading, and calculating the production dates and shelf lives of pre-packaged foods, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), in accordance with the Food Safety Law of the People’s Republic of China and relevant standards and regulations, recently issued Announcement on Encouraging Food Enterprises to Improve the Labeling of Production Dates and Shelf Lives of Pre-packaged Foods (hereinafter referred to as the Announcement) to address these concerns.

On January 19, 2024, the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China (NHC) released the General Rules for the Labeling of Prepackaged Food (Draft) (hereinafter referred to as GB 7718 draft) for public comments. Comments are welcomed before February 29, 2024. CIRS Group has compiled the key changes in the draft to help food enterprises gain a clearer understanding of the design requirements for the labeling of prepackaged food.

On January 3, 2024, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) issued 4 new food-related products for public comment, including 2 food contact additives and 2 food contact resins. The deadline for public comments is January 21, 2024.

On December 21, 2023, the European Commission issued Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2847 and 2023/2851, authorizing the placing on the market of apple fruit cell culture biomass and partially hydrolysed protein from spent barley (Hordeum vulgare) and rice (Oryza sativa) as a novel food. These Regulations will enter into force on January 10, 2024.

On November 30, the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China (NHC) issued an announcement (No. 10 of 2023) on the approval of 9 “Three New Foods”, including three new food raw materials, two new food additives, and four food-related products.

For a long time, there has been ambiguity regarding whether capsule forms are allowed for common food. The industry generally holds the view that capsules are commonly seen in health and pharmaceutical products, yet not suitable for common food. Consequently, few capsule-type common food products have been imported into China through general trade. It is anticipated that more of these products will enter the Chinese market following this notice.