CFDA Exposes 3 Unqualified Infant Formula Brands

Take home

3 batches of domestic infant formula products have been found non-compliant by CFDA.

In Mar 2016, CFDA conducted spot checks on 199 batches of infant formula products, among which 3 batches failed to meet requirements in the relevant national food safety standards.

3 unqualified IF products and reasons

The chlorine content in the first product is 4 mg/100kJ lower than the required level; the manganese in the second product is not up-to-standard, either; for the last product, the problem is not related with safety but about inaccurate labeling. The general measure for dealing with the food safety issue is to order problematic manufacturers to recall unqualified products and stop their production. They will also be asked to identify and rectify problems and be treated according to the laws.

Food safety issues associated with infant formula products have become a regular occurrence and are indicative of CFDA’s increased emphasis on postmarket supervision and its zero tolerance policy on compliance and safety issues associated with infant formula. Last month, another two brands were also exposed by CFDA (see CL food news on 21 Mar).

The major reasons for constantly emerging infant formula food safety problems  

To get the license for producing infant formula in China, manufacturers mainly need to comply with the Food Safety Law, Administrative Measures for Food Production Licensing, Detailed Rules for Examination on Production Licensing for Infant Formula Manufacturers (2013)  and GB 23790-2010 National Food Safety Standard Good Manufacturing Practice for Powdered Formulae for Infants and Young Children, etc. So far, 104 manufacturers in China have been approved or licensed by CFDA to make infant formula. However, the result of last years’ special audit on several licensed IF manufacturers conducted by CFDA disclosed that approved producers still have many problems, such as

• failure to meet production licensing conditions (part of workplaces and production equipment & facilities);
• inadequate testing ability; (unable to identify problems fully by themselves)
• failure to implement an adequate food safety management system
• forging testing records (a very serious breach which threatens to derail much of progress and advances in domestic infant formula safety made in the last several years).

China’s greater emphasis on postmarket supervision as outlined in last year’s new food safety law is beginning to bear fruits in terms of providing a strong disincentive to enterprises looking to cut corners at the expense of the safety and quality of infant formula products here in China.

Reference Link

CFDA news press