China Consults on Four National Food Safety Standards, Including GB Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Food, FSMP and Complementary Baby Food

National food safety standards under consultation this time are GB 7718 General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Food, GB 29922 General Rules for Food for Special Medical Purposes, GB 22570 Complementary Food Supplements and GB XXXX Nutritional Fortification Substance Vitamin K2 (Synthesis).

On January 19, 2024, China National Health Commission (NHC) opened four GB standards for public feedback. Any comments can be sent back prior to February 29, 2024 via the online system.

The national food safety standards under consultation are:

GB 22570 Complementary Food Supplements

This standard was under consultation for the second time. Compared with the first exposure draft issued in February 2022, most items still remain the same this time apart from some minor revisions. For example, the latest version adds the consumption methods for different types of complementary food supplements in article 3.1. Details can be seen below:

Product	Consumption method
	6-36 months	37-72 months
Nutrient-dense food supplement for complementary feeding	Added to instant foods or mix with hot water
Complementary food supplements tablet	Crushed then sprinkled on instant foods	Crushed then sprinkled on instant foods, or chewed directly
Complementary food supplements sprinkles	sprinkled on instant foods

In addition, the usage level of nicotinamide is adjusted to “1.2-9.0” for products consumed by 6 to 36-month-old babies and “2.4-9.0” for 37 to 72-month-old young children. The testing method for Vitamin B6 is changed from GB 5413.13 Determination of Vitamin B6 in Infant and Young Children Food and Dairy Products (repealed) to GB 5009.154 Determination of Vitamin B6 in Food.

Compared with the current 2014 version, the exposure drafts expand the application scope, optimize the definition, detail the ingredient requirements, and update the usage levels of essential and optional ingredients. You can check China Consults on GB standard for Complementary Food Supplements for more detailed information.

GB XXXX Nutritional Fortification Substance Vitamin K2 (Synthesis)

This newly drafted standard applies to nutrition fortification substance Vitamin K2 made through chemical synthesis. It specifies the chemical name, molecular formula, structural formula, and relative molecular mass, as well as technical requirements and testing methods of the substance.

GB 7718 General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Food

It was the third time that GB 7718 was opened for public consultation, and this draft is quite different from the current version and its two previous drafts. The proposed amendments cover a wide range of aspects, such as the application scope, ingredient list, date labeling, food claims, digital labeling, and imported food labeling. Please check China Consults on New Version of GB 7718 General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods for more detailed analysis.

GB 29922 General Rules for Food for Special Medical Purposes

GB 29922 was sought for public comments for the second time. Compared with the current version, the proposed revisions involve the product classification, products’ technical indicators, and labeling requirements. Please check China Unveils Draft of GB 29922 General Rules for Foods for Special Medical Purposes for more interpretation.