NHFPC Issues National Standards for Foods for Special Medical Purposes and Special Dietary Uses

On Jan. 10, 2014, NHFPC promulgated four new national food safety standards including General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods for Special Dietary Uses (GB13432-2013). These national standards are mainly related to the foods for special medical purposes and foods for special dietary uses. The detailed information is as follows:

Name of standard	Effective date	Remarks
General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods for Special Dietary Uses (GB13432-2013)	July 1, 2015	This standard replaces GB 13432-2004, and stipulates on the labeling of food for infants and young children and foods for special medical purposes. It explicitly stipulates that nutrient content claims and function claims are prohibited to be made for ingredients in 0-6 month infant formula.
Pathogen Limits for Food (GB29921-2013)	July 1, 2014	This standard includes the pathogen limits of salmonella, listeria monocytogenes, escherichia coli O157:H7, staphylococcus aureus, and vibrio parahemolyticus on 11 kinds of foods, including meat products, aquatic products, instant egg products, cereal products, instant bean products, chocolate and cocoa products, instant fruit and vegetable products, beverages, frozen drinks, instant condiment, and nut seed products. It also identifies relevant inspection methods.
General Standard for Foods for Special Medical Purposes (GB29922-2013)	July 1, 2014	It is the standard for special dietary foods, which is made for the group of people with feeding difficulties, disorder of digestion and absorption, metabolic disturbance, and other specific diseases. It is suitable for the people above one year old.
Good Manufacturing Practice of Foods for Special Medical Purposes (GB29923-2013)	January 1, 2015	This standard stipulates the sanitary requirements and requirements on production and operation for manufacturers.