To review food regulatory updates that happened in 2020, we picked out the top 10 most important updates and listed them below. Besides the regular regulatory updates, the influence of Covid-19 pandemic is an influential factor we have to reckon with this year, for it has influenced the importation and supervision measures of imported food and has also affected subsequent economic policies.
According to ChemLinked the Top 10 updates in 2020 are:
1. 2021 Tariff Plan
On Dec. 21, 2020, China Ministry of Finance published the “2021 Tariff Adjustment Plan”. According to the Plan, starting from January 1, 2021, the provisional tariff of some special infant formula (such as infant formula for premature infants) will be reduced from 5% to 0%, and that of whey protein powder and lactoferrin will be lowered from 10% to 0%. Moreover, conventional tariff rates for dairy products from Australia, Costa Rica, Georgia, Switzerland, Peru and South Korea will be further reduced. (Read more)
2. New Draft of Overseas Food Manufacturer Registration Provisions Includes All Foods
On November 16, 2020, China notified WTO about a new draft of “Administrative Provisions on Registration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Foods”. Compared to the 2012 version (currently valid), the new draft of overseas food manufacturer registration provision applies to all foods, excluding food additives and food contact materials. Different measures will be implemented based on the risk level of the food they produce. Foods deemed as high risk will bear more stringent requirements, such as health food, food for special dietary uses, etc. Besides, the annual verification and report mechanism mentioned in the 2019 draft is no longer included in the 2020 draft. (Read more)
3.Second draft of China Food Labeling Supervision Administrative Measures under Consultation
On Jul. 27, 2020, China SAMR opened the second draft of “Food Labeling Supervision Administrative Measures” for public feedback. Compared with the first draft issued in Nov. 2019, the latest version details the labeling requirements for special food, newly includes the labeling obligation for products using reconstituted milk as raw materials, and clarifies some regulation items. For example, the labeling of infant formula will be subject to a more stringent requirement that all stage 1 products cannot bear either content or function claims on the package, and products targeting babies over 6 months old can only have these claims for those optional ingredients on the non-major display panel.
Moreover, similar to the requirements mentioned in the first draft, imported food shall have Chinese labels, which should be directly stuck, printed, or indicated on the minimum sales unit package. It is not allowed to affix the Chinese label on the foreign one. (Read more)
The next Article will tell you the rest updates.
Source:chemlinked
