China GAC Issues Non-Compliant Imported Food Data of August and September 2018

According to announcements issued by China GAC on Oct. 30, 2018, 173 batches of imported food were rejected in August mainly due to substandard quality, excessive use of food additives, and lack of inspection and quarantine permission. In September, 106 batches of imported food were found non-compliant, the most frequent violations involved overuse of food additives, microorganism contamination and unqualified certificate.

Import failure in August

Special food, beverage as well as aquatic and aquatic products accounted for the majority of non-compliant imported food in August. The data shows 43 batches of complementary baby food were rejected due to the overuse of food additives and the non-compliant nutrient levels of protein and iron. It is worth noting that 40 batches of those unqualified products were manufactured by Heinz (Italia). A batch of milk protein concentrate produced by Arla Foods were found to contain excessive moisture levels.

Import failure in September

Beverage, pastry & biscuit products and special food accounted for the majority of the non-compliant food categories. 2 batches of children’s milk powder from Australia are rejected due to misuse of food additives potassium chloride and potassium iodide. In addition, 1 batch of baby biscuit produced by Heinz and 1 batch of Gerber complementary cereal products (stage 1) were found to contain excessive concentration of food additives, and it was the 5th time that Heinz Italia was blacklisted this year.