CFDA is leaving no doubt about the blanket enforcement of its zero tolerance policy on incompliant imported food labels highlighting in particular products lacking Chinese labels and instructions. All foreign food companies should be well aware that all food & beverages exported to China must have Chinese labels printed on sales packaging. A recent national investigation led by CFDA on foods sold through several mainstream electronic portals shows that the vast majority of the imported beverage branded "condition" made by CJ Cooperation, a multinational company from Korea, did not have Chinese labels and instructions. Some had illegal functional claims not conforming to the 27 permitted functional claims under Chinese health food regulations. Claims such as “alleviating hangover” headache relief, etc. were used in many of the products which fly in the face of Chinese regulations. According to the Food Safety Law, imported foods should have Chinese label and instructions which need to be in full compliance with Chinese national standards. GB 7718 is currently the main national food safety standard for labeling of prepackaged foods. In addition, the country of origin along with the name, address and contact information of domestic agents are also required to be clearly indicated on the Chinese labels. When imported foods arrive at port, labels are one of the key elements for CIQ officials to check.
According to the CFDA the unqualifed Korean beverages did not go through authorized CIQ inspection channels so there is a high chance they are fakes and obviously present a huge food safety risk. In the following days, CFDA will further investigate and has promised serious retribution for those responsible.
As part of its food industry reform the Chinese government is prioritizing food labeling as its primary tool to combat food safety issues. Violations carry heavy financial and legal burdens. To help industry understand their Chinese labeling obligations, Chemlinked will host a webinar titled with "Industry Focus: Designing China Compliant Food Labels" on 17 July. We invite our attendees to pre-submit questions which will be dealt with by CFDA and CIQ officials and hopefully put to rest much of the uncertainties troubling exporters.
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