China Bans Differentiated Packaging, Immunity Claims on Infant Formula Labels
China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) issued a Q&A on September 20 clarifying labeling rules for infant formula. It mandates identical labels for the same formula, bans differentiation by packaging color or can shape, and requires milk source claims to be explicit. Products produced before March 16, 2027, with prohibited claims like immunity enhancement cannot be sold; others can sell until expiry.
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China Issues New Labeling Rules for Infant Formula Food Products
On September 20, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) of China issued the 'Questions and Answers on Labeling of Infant Formula Food Products' (the 'Q&A'), aiming to guide manufacturers of infant formula (including powdered and liquid forms) in further standardizing product labels. The Q&A clarifies requirements for marking production dates, shelf life, allergen information, milk source, and formula producer details. It emphasizes that label adjustments must be filed with provincial market regulators. Additionally, labels for the same formula from the same enterprise must be consistent in content, format, and color; any milk source claims must be explicitly stated on the label and not differentiated by packaging color or can shape. The Q&A also stipulates that infant formula products produced before the implementation date (March 16, 2027) of the 'Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Food Labeling' that violate prohibitive provisions (e.g., implying immunity enhancement) cannot continue to be sold; those not violating such provisions may be sold until their expiration date.
Read sourceChina Bans Differentiated Packaging for Same Infant Formula Recipe Under New Label Rules
China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) issued new labeling rules for infant formula on March 20, 2025, via a Q&A document. The rules mandate that products with the same recipe from the same company must have identical label content, format, and color, prohibiting differentiation through packaging color, lid color, or can shape. If a milk source claim is made, it must be clearly labeled. The rules also specify requirements for production dates, shelf life, allergen warnings, and producer information. Labels must be adjusted and filed with provincial market regulators. Products produced before the implementation date of the Food Label Supervision and Management Regulation (March 16, 2027) that violate prohibitions (e.g., implying immunity-boosting effects) cannot be sold; those not violating prohibitions can be sold until their expiry date.
Read sourceChina Bans Differentiated Packaging for Same Infant Formula Recipe Under New Label Rules
China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) issued a new Q&A document on February 20, 2025, titled 'Questions and Answers on Labeling of Infant Formula Food,' mandating that the same formula product from the same enterprise must have identical label content, format, and color. The regulation prohibits differentiation through packaging color (including lid color) or can shape. If a milk source claim is made, it must be clearly stated on the label. The rules also specify requirements for production date, shelf life, allergen warnings, and producer information. Any label adjustments must be filed with provincial market regulators. The regulation notes that infant formula produced before the implementation date of the 'Food Labeling Supervision and Management Measures' (March 16, 2027) can still be sold until its expiry date if it does not violate prohibitions such as implying enhanced immunity; otherwise, sales must cease.
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China's SAMR Clarifies Infant Formula Label Rules, Bans Some Sales After 2027
On September 20, China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) issued a Q&A on Labels of Infant Formula Foods, clarifying requirements for production dates, shelf lives, allergen warnings, milk sources, and producer information. The Q&A mandates that after label adjustments, companies must file with provincial market regulation authorities. Labels for products with the same formula from the same enterprise must be consistent in content, format, and color. If milk source claims are made, they must be clearly stated; differentiation through packaging colors or can shapes is prohibited. The Q&A reminds manufacturers that infant formula foods produced before the effective date of the Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Food Labeling (March 16, 2027) may not continue to be sold if their labeling violates prohibitive regulations, such as explicitly or implicitly claiming functions like enhancing immunity. However, products not violating prohibitive regulations may be sold until the end of their shelf life. The report is attributed to CCTV journalist Li Jingjing.
Read sourceChina's Market Regulator Issues Q&A on Infant Formula Food Labeling Rules
On September 20, China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) released a Q&A document clarifying labeling requirements for infant formula foods. The Q&A specifies rules for production dates, shelf lives, allergen warnings, milk sources, and producer information for blended formulas. It mandates that any label adjustments must be filed with provincial-level market regulation authorities. Labels for products with the same formula from the same enterprise must have consistent content, format, and color. Claims about milk sources must be clearly stated, and differentiation through packaging colors or can shapes is prohibited. The Q&A also reminds manufacturers that infant formula produced before the implementation date of the Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Food Labels (March 16, 2027) may not continue to be sold if their labeling violates prohibitive provisions, such as explicitly or implicitly claiming immune-boosting effects. However, products without such violations may be sold until the end of their shelf life.