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Imported Dairy Products Facing 5 Checkpoints Set by Local CIQs

As we all know, in order to ensure the quality of both domestic and imported dairy products, the Administrative Measures on Inspection, Quarantine and Supervision of Import and Export Dairy Products, also called as AQSIQ Order 152 of 2013, has come into force from May 1 this year. After that, local CIQs conduct stricter inspection and quarantine on imported dairy products (including colostrum, raw milk and milk products) in line with the new Measures.

On 10 May, a shipment of infant milk powder from Germany just arrived at Beijing Chao Yang port. To disclose the port inspection procedures of imported dairy products to the public, the Beijing CIQ invited media to go through the formality with port officials. The milk products witness five crucial checkpoints:

1. Testing Report Review

Under the newly effective Measures, importers are required to provide the testing report with all mandatory testing items. Mr. Zhou Yufeng from Chao Yang port said that, according to the National Food Safety Standard-Infant Formula (GB 10765-2010), there are 50 testing items mandatory for a bag of milk powder. Only if the result of each testing item is up to the standard secified will the product be imported, which also concords with the legal consciousness that “Companies should be the first responsible persons for their products” indicated by the China Food Safety Law.

2. On-site Check

After containers are opened, the CIQ officials mainly check items as follows:

  • The consistency of goods' quality with related documentation;

  • The inner and outer packaging (intact? any leakage?);

  • The appearance, color, taste, odor and hardness;

  • The food container, storage conditions, loading and unloading and other surrounding to see whether they meet relevant hygienic requirements

Products found to have broken packages, any leakage, and deterioration or to be contaminated are categorized as “unqualified goods”, which will be destroyed or offered for safety disposal.

3. Labeling Review

Chinese labels are one of the key information to be checked. Imported products must bear normative labels otherwise they will be prohibited to enter into Chinese market. According to the National Food Safety Standard-General Rules for Labeling of Prepackaged Foods (GB 7718-2011), the Chinese label of a imported product needs to include:

  • Food name;

  • Ingredient list;

  • Net content and qualification;

  • Name, address and contact information of manufacturer or distributor;

  • Date of production and shelf life;

  • Storage conditions, etc.

4. Spot-check for Testing

After the afore-mentioned inspection, the dairy products are subject to random check. Samples will be sent to food labs for testing by designated CIQ personnel. During sample testing, this batch of milk powder will be transferred to and stored in a designated place under the supervision of Beijing CIQ. If the result is positive, the CIQ will issue a certificate for inspection and quarantine of imported dairy products.

Although importers have presented all required items testing reports, as infant milk powder is a kind of very sensitive products in China, the CIQ still requires spot-check of every batch for safety concern. Through years’ practice, local CIQs have developed a mature workflow for food testing to make sure no product will miss the check.

5. Lab Testing

When samples arrive the food lab, the CIQ staff and the technical personnel in the lab jointly check whether the outer package, quantity and temperature meet the testing requirement and determine items that need to be tested.

Mr. Wang also from Beijing CIQ mentioned that the CIQ has formulated a comprehensive and mature inspection and quarantine system to monitor food from port to market based on rich experience previously gained. Generally, dairy products which successfully overcome the main barriers will prove to be qualified and allowed to be sold in China. 

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