China Releases GB 7718-2025 General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods

On March 27, 2025, National Health Commission (NHC) released the GB 7718-2025 General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods, along with 49 other new GB standards and 9 amendment sheets. The key revisions in GB 7718-2025 involve new mandatory labeling items, digital labels, ingredient labeling, date marking and exemptions. This standard will take effect from March 16, 2027.

Revising history of GB 7718

GB 7718 serves as the cornerstone regulation for food labeling in China. Since the release of GB 7718-2011, China has issued four draft revisions to update this standard: the first in 2018, the second in 2019, and the third and fourth in 2024. Now, with the official release of GB 7718-2025, this new version introduces significant updates compared to GB 7718-2011.

Key amendments

1. Certain labeling requirements is removed from GB 7718.

Specific labeling requirements such as font size, net content, and producer information for pre-packaged food labels are not covered in GB 7718, and are separately stipulated by the Administrative Measures for Supervision of Food Labeling. NHC and the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) have agreed that GB 7718 and the Administrative Measures for Supervision of Food Labeling should work in coordination with each other to effectively manage food labeling.

2. Allergen labeling become a mandatory labeling item.

GB 7718 outlines two main methods for labeling allergens when they are used as ingredients:

• Highlighting allergens in the ingredient list: Allergens can be emphasized using bold or underlined text. Example: Ingredients: wheat flour, sugar, hazelnut paste (hazelnuts, chocolate).

• Providing allergen warnings near the ingredient list: A separate allergen statement can be included, using terms like “allergen information,” “allergen warning,” or without specific headings. Examples include: Contains egg, peanut, nuts, and dairy; Contains peanut butter and soy products; This product contains fish and soy ingredients and may cause allergic reactions.

The table below summarizes mandatory allergens, voluntary labeling scenarios, and exemptions:

3. The definition of prepackaged food is amended.

• The definition of prepackaged food is expanded to include “food that is pre-packaged or made in packaging materials or containers for sale by measurement”. In addition, the GB 7718-2011 definition of prepackaged food covers pre-packaged foods and food pre-produced in packaging materials or containers with a unified labeling of quality or volume, and the quality or volume is within a certain limit range. The new version adds “length” as an additional unified measurement.

• The definition of the principal display panel is deleted. Therefore, food product labels are no longer distinguished based on the most easily observed panel.

• Food claims are defined as statements that truthfully and accurately describe the characteristics, properties, and attributes of a food product, its ingredients, or its components.

4. Ingredient labeling requirements are revised.

• GB 7718-2025 requires that ingredients or components mentioned in the food name must have their quantity indicated. However, there are five exemptions where the added amount or content does not need to be specified. For a detailed comparison, please refer to the table below.

• New requirements for microbial strains are set.

GB 7718-2025 stipulates that microbial strains directly added during production must be labeled with their specific names if they have not undergone inactivation or removal processes. The corresponding strain number and strain content may also be indicated.

If the strain plays a fermentative role in the food, it can be labeled as “fermentation strain” or “microbial fermenting agent.”

If the strain has been inactivated or removed through filtration or other means, labeling is not required. However, if labeled, the sterilization process must be explicitly stated near the product name or ingredient list. Alternatively, terms such as “inactivated”, “non-viable strain”, “sterilized”, or “pasteurized” should be used to clearly indicate that the strain is no longer active.

• GB 7718-2025 specifies the requirements for the use of claims such as "no," "free from," and "not added. It stipulates that terms such as "not added", "not used", and other phrases with essentially the same meaning must not be used. 

 5. Requirements for digital labels are introduced. Digital labels must not be altered. 

Digital labels refer to food labels displayed on food packaging through information technology means like QR codes. In addition to adhering to the standard requirements for pre-packaged food labels, food enterprises are encouraged to display food label information through digital labels. Content displayed on digital labels should be clear, prominent, and easy to read, and must not be altered.

GB 7718-2025 stipulates that digital labels can display comprehensive information in text, audio, video, or other formats on the first-level page upon scanning. The displayed content must be free from any disruptive elements that could hinder readability. Additionally, when using digital labels, their presence must be clearly indicated near the label itself with terms such as "digital label" or similar wording.

Example of Digital Labels

6. Separate and improved labeling requirements for imported food are introduced.

GB 7718-2025 mandates that all visible labeling content on imported pre-packaged food must comply with Chinese laws and regulations. Labels must include a Chinese version, either printed or affixed, which must display all mandatory information. Additionally, there must be a one-to-one correspondence between the Chinese and foreign language text for mandatory labeling items. Any other foreign language content on the label must align with standard Chinese characters, except for trademarks, the producer's name and address, the foreign operator's name and address, and websites.

7. Date marking requirements are revised.

According to GB 7718-2025, for pre-packaged food products with a shelf life of over 6 months or a maximum packaging surface area not exceeding 20cm², it is permissible to exclusively indicate the shelf life and its expiration date, which means the inclusion of the production date no longer mandatory. Moreover, the production date and expiration date of pre-packaged food products shall be clearly indicated in the order of year, month, and day. In addition, the “consumption shelf life” is added as an optional labeling item, which can guide consumers to consume food within a reasonable time schedule after purchase and avoid food waste. This represents the last date for safe consumption under the specified storage conditions stated on the food label. The consumption shelf life may be labeled in the following formats: "Consume by [date]", "Use by [date]".

8. Wines and alcoholic beverages can be exempted from showing the production date in specific situation.

The new standard updates the exemptions for labeling. Wines and alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of 10% or more can be exempted from showing the production date, provided the batch number is displayed. Similarly, these types of beverages can omit the shelf life and expiration date, as long as the production date is displayed.

For pre-packaged food products where the maximum surface area of the packaging material or container is less than 20 cm2, only the food name, net content, production date or expiration date, shelf life, storage conditions, producer and/or operator's name and contact information, production license number, product standard code, and sequence number shall to be labeled. Other labeling items should be displayed on the sales container or provided in the form of attached instructions, digital labels, etc.

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