On 31 Aug 2015, CFDA released the “Administrative Measures for Food Operation License” and the “Administrative Measures for Food Production License” which will both come into force on 1 Oct 2015. The new Measures are designed to enhance food safety by increasing the stringency of inspections and regulation of food production and operating activities.
Key points:
The current food circulation license and catering service license will be combined into the food operation license.
Food additive production will be included in the “Measures for the Administration of Food Production License”. Qualified manufacturers will be issued a food production license with food additive noted on the production category.
“One manufacturer one license", "one site one license”: The principle indicates that each food manufacturer should acquire one food production license, and each food operator should obtain a food operation license before enagaging in production or other regulated activities on one particular site.
Licensing classification: Food Production License will be sub-divided into 31 categories including infant formula, dairy products, alcoholic products, health food, etc. Food operation items will be divided into 10 categories such as pre-packaged food circulation, special food circulation, bulk food circulation, etc.
Stringent requirements for special foods (e.g. health food): Provincial FDAs will be responsible for the production license qualification inspection for special foods. In addition to meeting the qualification requirements for regular food production, the manufacturers should also submit documents regarding quality management system as well as the registration and filing documents of the product.
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