China’s Catalogue of Substances Traditionally Considered as Both Food and Chinese Medicine

On 6 Nov, China NHFPC released the draft “Administrative Measures on the Catalogue of Substances Traditionally Considered as Both Food and Chinese Medicine” for public consultation. The new regulation was revised from the “Administrative Measures on Prohibition of Adding Medicine to Food”. The deadline for comment submission is 30 Nov 2014.

According to the new draft, “substances traditionally considered as both food and Chinese medicine” refer to those edible parts of animals and plants (including food raw materials, spice and condiments) which have traditional eating habits and have been listed into the national Chinese medicine standards (including Chinese pharmacopoeia and other related standards). NHPFC is responsible for the management and update of this Catalogue.

To be included into the Catalogue, substances must meet the following criteria simultaneously,

• Meet the requirements laid down in the Food Safety Law and other relevant regulations;

• Have a long history of consumption recorded in the classics of traditional Chinese medicine and without toxicity; 

• Traditionally consumed in China that does not pose any acute, sub-acute or chronic hazards to human health and conform to nutritional requirements.

• Comply with relevant laws and regulations for protection of Chinese medicine resources;

• Already listed in the national Chinese medicine standards.

The Catalogue is attached at the end of the regulation and contains 101 items. China Food Safety Law prohibits the addition of medicine to foods produced or traded in China, unless the added substance is covered in the Catalogue. Overseas food companies with products possibility falling within this scope should carefully consult the contents of this regulation to understand their regulatory obligations and to avoid failure during CIQ customs inspection.