China Food Standards: Regulatory Standards for Imported Meat and Meat Products in China

China has great demand for imported meat and meat products, especially for beef and lamb. In Sep 2014, the Chinese authority formulated new policies and measures to stimulate the importation of meat products and meet the growing domestic demand (click here for details).

However, AQSIQ requires registration of overseas manufacturers of dairy products, meat and aquatic products.  Foreign meat exporters targeting the Chinese market must source their supply from CNCA accredited meat producers and also need to register with China’s filing management system by completing a document confirming that foreign exporters of foodstuffs have been registered with AQSIQ for their first time export to China.

The following are the most relevant standards and corresponding regulatory compliance obligations applicable to meat products imported to China:

General Standards for Imported Meat and Meat Products

• GB 7718-2011 National Food Safety Standard General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods

• GB 14880-2012 National Food Safety Standard Standard for the Use of Nutrirional Fortification Substances in Foods

• GB 28050-2011 National Food Safety Standard General Rules for Nutrition Labeling of Prepackaged Foods

• GB 9685-2008 Hygienic Standards for Uses of Additives in Food Containers and Packaging Materials

• GB 29938-2013 General Rules for Flavorings

• Administrative Measures on Safety Examination of New Food Raw Materials

• Announcement No. 235 of China's Ministry of Agriculture: Maximum Residue Limits of Veterinary Drugs in Food

• GB 2760-2014 Standard for Uses of Food Additives

Product Standards for Imported Meat and Meat Products

• GB/T 26604-2011 Classify for Meat Products

• GB 2707-2005 Hygienic Standard for Fresh (Frozen)  Meat

• GB 2726-2005 Hygiene Standards  for Cooked Meat Products

• GB 2730-2005 Hygiene Standards  for Cured Meat Products

• GB 13100-2005 Hygienic Standard for Canned Meat

• GB/T 20711-2006 Cooked Cured Ham

Transportation Standards for Imported Meat and Meat Products

• GB/T 28640-2012 Practice for Cold-chain Transportation of Livestock & Poultry Meat

• GB/T 21735-2008 Logistics Specification for Meat and Meat Products

• GB/T 20799-2014 Transportation Conditions for Fresh or Frozen Meat

Production Standards for Meat and Meat Products (applicable to local producers)

• GB 14881-2013 General Hygienic Practice of Food Production

• GB/T 27301-2008 Food Safety Management System-Requirements for Meat and Meat Product Establishments

• GB/T 20940-2007 Good Manufacturing Practice for Meat Products Enterprises

• GB/T 19479-2004 Good Manufacturing Practice for Pig Slaughtering

• GB/T 18526.7 -2001 Code of Good Irradiation Practice for Chilled Packaged Pork Cuts

• GB 19303-2003 Hygienic Practice of Cooked Meat and Meat-products Factory

• GB 12694-1990 Hygienic Specifications of Meat Packing Plant