China CNCA Suspends a Spanish Dairy Manufacturer’s Approval

On Jan 8th 2015, China Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA) (the authority tasked with registration of overseas dairy manufacturers) released a notice announcing the suspension of a Spanish dairy producer named “Corporacion Alimentaria Penasanta S.A.”. The release was issued in response to export of a whole milk product made by this company in July 2014 that after analysis by local CIQs was found to be excessively acidity.

Detailed information on the non-compliant product identified by CIQ is listed below

A UHT milk made by this manufacturer is still available for purchasing on some e-commerce platforms such as Tmall supermarket, Yihaodian, etc. No regulation specifies control measures for those imported products already placed on the market but later their manufacturer is identified as non-compliance with Chinese requirements. They should have been recalled immediately after any safety problem of the producer occurs.  

According to AQSIQ Announcement No. 145-2012, CNCA should continually monitor registered dairy manufacturers and organize experts to conduct reexamination as necessary. Manufacturers found in violation of registration requirements will have their certification temporarily suspended during which they cannot export their dairy products to China. After this investigation, the CNCA concluded that the now blacklisted company is not capable of fully controlling risk during production and needed rectification measures imposed on them.

The Spanish manufacturer becomes the first approved manufacturer to receive such punishment since the registration requirement for dairy manufacturers were implemented last May. The Chinese government attaches paramount importance to dairy source control. The release of this latest news should send a clear signal to international dairy manufacturers that once certification is granted they must maintain high production standards.