This thread compiles the core regulatory documents governing pre‑packaged food labelling for products imported into China, including national standards, official Q&As, official interpretations, ministerial rules and customs announcements. Effective dates and validity status are listed for each document.
1. GB 7718‑2025 General Standard for the Labelling of Pre‑Packaged Foods
Document type: Mandatory national food safety standard
Release date: 16 March 2025
Effective enforcement date: 16 March 2027
Validity: Replaces GB 7718‑2011; valid from 16 March 2027 onwards. Products manufactured before the enforcement date may remain on sale within their shelf‑life.
Brief note: Core mandatory standard for all pre‑packaged food labels, including imported goods. It introduces revised date‑marking rules, updated allergen labelling, revised ingredient‑list requirements and formal provisions for digital labels.
Reference document link: https://www.ifsqn.co...foods-to-china/
2. GB 7718‑2025 Official Q&A
Document type: Official explanatory Q&A issued by authorities
Release date: Published alongside GB 7718‑2025
Effective enforcement date: Aligns with GB 7718‑2025 (16 March 2027)
Validity: Current official guidance for practical implementation of GB 7718‑2025
Brief note: Clarifies ambiguous practical scenarios for label layout, date presentation, ingredient‑list sorting, allergen declaration and import‑specific marking requirements.
Reference document link: https://www.nhc.gov....f14c20d44.shtml
3. GB 28050‑2025 General Standard for Nutrition Labelling of Pre‑Packaged Foods
Document type: Mandatory national food safety standard
Release date: 16 March 2025
Effective enforcement date: 16 March 2027
Validity: Replaces GB 28050‑2011; products manufactured before enforcement date may circulate within shelf‑life.
Brief note: Mandatory nutrition‑labelling standard covering nutrition‑fact‑panel format, nutrient values, nutrition claims and health‑related claims applicable to imported pre‑packaged foods.
Reference document link: https://www.ifsqn.co...-16-march-2027/
4. GB 28050‑2025 Official Q&A
Document type: Official explanatory Q&A
Release date: Published alongside GB 28050‑2025
Effective enforcement date: Aligns with GB 28050‑2025 (16 March 2027)
Validity: Current official practical guidance
Brief note: Addresses common real‑world questions on nutrition‑panel calculation, rounding rules, exemptions from nutrition labelling and claim‑compliance assessment.
Reference document link: https://www.nhc.gov....cce9da4e7.shtml
5. Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Food Labelling
Document type: SAMR ministerial decree (Order No.100)
Release date: 14 March 2025
Effective enforcement date: 16 March 2027
Validity: Replaces the former Provisions for the Administration of Food Labelling and Provisions on Labelling of Health Foods; valid from 16 March 2027.
Brief note: Administrative regulatory rule covering label‑audit obligations, font‑size requirements, prohibited misleading statements and enforcement penalties.
Non‑official English translation attached.
6. Announcement No. 5 of 2025 on Matters Concerning the Implementation of Digital Labels for Pre‑Packaged Foods (jointly issued by NHC and SAMR)
Document type: Joint official administrative announcement
Release / effective date: 29 July 2025, effective upon issuance
Validity: Currently in force
Brief note: Gives detailed operational rules for digital labels under GB 7718‑2025: content requirements, traceability of digital‑label updates, scope of information permitted for digital display, simplified physical‑label conditions and special‑food constraints.
Reference document link: https://www.nhc.gov....400c649a2.shtml
7. GACC Announcement on Issues Concerning the Inspection and Supervision of Labels for Imported and Exported Pre‑Packaged Foods (GACC Announcement No. 70 of 2019)
Document type: General Administration of Customs of China administrative announcement
Release date: 22 April 2019
Effective date: 1 October 2019
Validity: Currently in force
Brief note: Abolishes the former pre‑import label filing requirement. Importers bear primary responsibility for Chinese‑label compliance; labels are inspected as part of food border inspection upon random sampling.
Reference document link: http://www.customs.g...0591468684.html
General Transition Reminder
For GB 7718‑2025, GB 28050‑2025 and Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Food Labelling:Disclaimer Attached documents are an unofficial translation for reference only. Compliance judgment shall be based on the original Chinese‑language standard.
Products manufactured before 16 March 2027 may continue to be sold throughout their remaining shelf‑life, even if they do not fully comply with the new‑version requirements. Products manufactured on or after 16 March 2027 must fully satisfy the new‑version requirements.
Disclaimer
Attached documents are an unofficial translation for reference only. Compliance judgment shall be based on the original Chinese‑language standard.
Attached Files
Edited by Arya Wu, 30 August 2026 - 01:41 AM.
