China Consults on 30 National Food Safety Standards, Involving Nutritional Fortifier, Additive, Special Dietary Food and Contaminant

On August 1, 2025, the National Health Commission (NHC) announced a public consultation on 30 national food safety standards. These include one general standard, two contaminant standards, two food product standards, five nutritional and special dietary food standards, sixteen food additive standards, two food-related product standards and two hygiene standards for production and operation. Any comments can be submitted before September 26, 2025 via the online system.

List of food safety standards under consultation

Key Proposed Changes in Select New/Revised Standards

GB 14880-xxxx Standard for the Use of Nutritional Fortification Substances in Foods

The key revisions in GB 14880-xxxx involve updates to terminology, fortification principles, and appendices to enhance alignment with national and international practices. New terms like “population-based food fortification” and “voluntary food fortification” are introduced. Appendices A to F were extensively updated: Appendix A specifies the types and amounts of nutrients that should be used in the case of population-based food fortification and involved food categories.; Appendix B expanded applicable food categories and adjusted fortification levels in terms of voluntary food fortification; Appendix C added and removed specific substances; Appendix D revised permitted ingredients and specifications for special dietary foods; Appendix E introduced a new list of amino acids; For more information, please refer to ChemLinked News. 

GB 2761-xxxx Maximum Levels of Mycotoxins in Foods

The key revisions in GB 2761-xxxx involve updated maximum limits for aflatoxins B1 and M1 in foods for special medical purposes intended for individuals over one year old. New limits are set for both liquid and other product forms: for aflatoxin B1, the limits are 0.1 µg/kg for liquid products and 0.5 µg/kg for others; for aflatoxin M1, the limits are 0.05 µg/kg and 0.5 µg/kg respectively. For more information, please refer to ChemLinked News.

GB 2762-xxxx Maximum Levels of Contaminants in Foods

The key revisions in GB 2762-xxxx involve refined contaminant limits for dried aquatic products and foods for special medical purposes intended for individuals over one year old. Dried aquatic product is newly included into “aquatic products” under “aquatic animals and their products”. This reclassification will lead to adjustments in contaminant limits for dried aquatic products. The standard also adjusts lead, nitrite, and nitrate limits in special medical purpose formulas based on product form and age group, introducing separate thresholds for liquid and other forms and redefining age brackets. For more information, please refer to ChemLinked News.

GB 29924-xxxx General Standard for the Labeling of Food Additives

The key revisions in GB 29924-xxxx involve clarifying that nutritional fortification substances fall within the scope of food additives and refining key definitions, including those for labels, production dates, ingredients, and auxiliary materials. The standard updates several provisions related to general labeling requirements, such as product name, ingredient list, usage scope, dosage, application method, and date marking for food additives supplied to both operators and end consumers. It also introduces a new clause and adjusts the labeling requirements to enhance clarity, consistency, and regulatory alignment. For more information, please refer to ChemLinked news.

GB 25191-xxxx Modified Milk

The key revisions in GB 25191-xxxx involve aligning the scope and definitions with current industry practices and regulatory requirements for formulated milk. The standard clarifies that it applies to formulated milk but excludes liquid products made solely from raw milk with added lactase. It introduces the term "concentrated dairy products" as acceptable raw materials and defines that at least 80% of the milk solids in 100g of formulated milk must come from primary dairy ingredients. Additional changes include updated labeling rules for reconstituted milk, fat content declarations, and guidance for enzyme-treated products based on their processing method. For more information, please refer to ChemLinked news.

GB xxxx-xxxx Nutritional Supplement Foods for the Elderly

The key contents in GB xxxx-xxxx Nutritional Supplement Foods for the Elderly involve establishing clear definitions, compositional requirements, and labeling standards tailored to the nutritional needs of older adults. The standard defines these products as special dietary foods made from one or more dairy- or soy-based matrices enriched with vitamins, minerals, and other food ingredients. It sets requirements for raw materials and recommended daily intake based on intended use, specifies sensory characteristics such as color, taste, and texture, and outlines both essential and optional nutrient indicators. For more information, please refer to ChemLinked news.

GB 24154-xxxx General Standard for Sports Nutrition Food

The key revisions in GB 24154-xxxx involve updates to the classification, technical specifications, and safety indicators for sports nutrition foods. To simplify implementation, the standard removes broad classification by nutrient features and sport types while retaining detailed product categories such as energy supplements, energy control, protein supplements, speed-strength, endurance, and post-exercise recovery, now further divided into physical and joint recovery. Nutritional requirements were revised or expanded for each category based on sport-specific demands, including adjustments to energy density, protein content, and fat ratios, as well as the introduction of recommended amino acid levels and mandatory nutrients for joint recovery products. Limits for contaminants, mycotoxins, and pathogens now follow general food safety standards, with new requirements for total plate count and coliforms. For more information, please refer to ChemLinked news.