Kunshan Reiterates the General Rules for Nutrition Labeling of Prepackaged Foods

According to relevant personnel of the Kunshan Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, in October this year, while inspecting imported food from Taiwan, China, the bureau found nine consecutive batches of food with non-compliant labels, involving candy, pastry, beverages and other products.

It is reported that since the General Rules for Nutrition Labeling of Prepackaged Foods took effect on January 1 this year, the Kunshan Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau has strengthened conformity testing of food nutrition labels and has found a total of 20 batches with non-compliant labels. The main problems are: incomplete labeling of basic label elements, such as the absence of a nutrition facts table; irregular use of food additives, including excessive or out-of-scope use of additives; false, exaggerated or misleading wording or graphics on labels, for example, a certain "milk candy" contains almost no protein; irregular nutrition labeling, such as the core nutrients - protein, fat, carbohydrate and sodium - which should be listed in order but are listed in reverse order or omitted in some products; and nutritional components failing to meet standards in conformity testing.

The main reasons for these problems are as follows. First, most imported food companies still value products over labels; they do not treat food labels as being as important as food quality and safety, lack training in and understanding of knowledge related to imported product labels, and have only a superficial grasp of labeling requirements. Second, with the improvement of people's living standards and the appreciation of the renminbi, import trade has shown a sound development trend, and many trading companies are shifting from export to import but have little understanding of the laws and regulations related to imported goods. Third, after overseas manufacturers change ingredients or formulas, they fail to update the nutrition facts table in a timely manner, causing the labeled nutritional information to be inconsistent with the actual product.

To this end, the Kunshan Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau offers the following suggestions to food import companies. First, raise awareness of the importance of labels, as food labels are an indispensable part of the safety of prepackaged foods. Second, strengthen training and learning to become familiar with and master the laws, regulations and mandatory standard requirements related to imported food labels. Third, strengthen label review; for foods with complex ingredients and numerous applicable standard requirements, specialized consulting agencies may be engaged to assist with design and review, so as to prevent non-compliant food labels from entering the market at the source.

——This article is reprinted from China Packaging Network (pack.cn). Original link: http://news.pack.cn/show-361868.html