China tightens food labelling rules to curb misleading claims

CHINA – China’s National Health Commission and the State Administration for Market Regulation have jointly issued 50 new national food safety standards, accompanied by nine amendment sheets.

Among the most significant updates are revisions to two key labelling standards: the General Standard for the Labelling of Pre-packaged Foods (GB 7718-2025) and the General Standard for Nutrition Labelling of Pre-packaged Foods (GB 28050-2025).

These revisions will reshape food packaging practices and directly influence consumer choices by introducing clearer labelling language, more transparent expiry date formats, expanded allergen declarations, and new digital tools to enhance accessibility.

Ban on misleading “zero additive” claims

One of the most notable changes is the ban on claims such as “no additives” or “zero additives.” Regulators argue that such language can mislead consumers by casting legally approved and scientifically assessed additives in a negative light.

Under the new rules, food manufacturers can no longer highlight the absence of specific ingredients—including additives, contaminants, or prohibited substances—using phrases like “free from” or similar marketing tactics.

Authorities view these claims as potentially deceptive, especially when they exploit public scepticism around food additives to promote “clean label” branding.

Officials emphasized that additives are not only permitted but often necessary when used within safety guidelines. Shifting consumer focus to their absence rather than more relevant health indicators could undermine public understanding of food safety.

To increase clarity, manufacturers must directly state the quantity of any ingredient mentioned in the product name on the label.

Digital labelling enhances transparency

To modernize labelling, the new standards introduce a digital system that allows consumers to scan QR codes on packaging for detailed product information.

This initiative addresses common concerns such as small font sizes and improves accessibility, particularly for older consumers or those with visual impairments.

Expiry date labelling has been overhauled for clarity. Going forward, labels must use intuitive formats like “Best before: 31 December 2025,” replacing the older practice of listing only production dates alongside shelf-life durations, leaving consumers to calculate expiry dates themselves.

Displacing the production date is now optional for products with shelf lives longer than six months; manufacturers can instead list only the expiry date.

Additionally, producers may voluntarily include a “consumption deadline” or “end of shelf-life” notice.

While “best before” indicates the optimal quality period, the “consumption deadline” signals when the product is no longer safe to eat. Regulators also remind consumers that proper storage is essential, regardless of labelling.

Stronger allergen labelling and expanded coverage for medical foods

To better protect allergy sufferers, the updated standards mandate the clear disclosure of eight major allergens: gluten-containing cereals, crustaceans, fish, eggs, peanuts, soybeans, milk, and tree nuts.

These must be highlighted in the ingredient list—either bolded and underlined—or listed beneath it in a separate statement.

However, officials cautioned against over-reliance on “allergen-free” claims, noting that the law only covers eight allergens and that others may still be present.

Given the complexity of individual allergic reactions, a universal “allergen-free” definition remains scientifically unreliable.

The standards also expand the General Standard for Foods for Special Medical Purposes for Infants to include six new product categories.

These now cover ketogenic and anti-reflux formulas, along with specialized products for infants with rare metabolic disorders, reflecting growing recognition of diverse dietary needs in paediatric care.

Expanded nutrition disclosures to promote public health

China is also strengthening its nutrition labelling requirements. The mandatory disclosure format will shift from the current “1+4” system—energy, protein, fat, carbohydrates, and sodium—to a broader “1+6” model that includes saturated fats and total sugars.

Packaging must also warn about excessive salt, oil, and sugar intake, especially for children and adolescents.

Authorities noted that public understanding of saturated fats remains low, with nearly 70% of surveyed consumers unaware of their link to cardiovascular disease.

The updated standards aim to support national efforts to curb rising rates of obesity and chronic illnesses linked to diet by broadening nutrient disclosure and reinforcing public health messaging.

Subscribe to our email newsletters that provide busy executives like you with the latest news insights and trends from Africa and the World. SUBSCRIBE HERE