On July 28, 2021, the SAMR issued the Announcement of the SAMR on Further Regulating the Labeling of Infant Formula Products (Draft for Comments) to publicly solicit opinions. The deadline for comments is August 28, 2021. The specific contents of the Announcement are as follows:

1. The label of infant formula products shall comply with the related provisions of food safety laws, regulations, standards and product formula registration. The content of labeling shall be true, accurate, clear and easy to recognize, and shall not contain false, exaggerated or misleading information or absolute language.

2. Infant formula products for aged 0-6 months shall not make nutrient content claims and function claims. Infant formula products for age over 6 months shall not make nutrient content claims and function claims for the essential ingredients, and may make nutrient content claims and function claims as permitted by the national food safety standards for the optional ingredients in text on non-principal display panel.

3. The principal display panel of the product label shall be marked with the product name, net content (specification), and registration number. It may contain graphs that meet requirements. The registered trademark may also be marked on the corner of the principal display panel. No other content is allowed to be marked.

4. If there is a certain animal origin in the product name, all raw milk, milk powder, whey powder and other milk protein raw materials shall come from the animal. Where the milk protein raw materials used come from two or more animal origins, the proportions of various raw materials of animal origins shall be marked in the ingredients list.

5. The compound ingredients in the ingredients list of product label shall be marked in strict accordance with the requirements of the national food safety standards. Where an ingredient is a compound ingredient composed of two or more ingredients (not including the compound food additives), such a compound ingredient may be declared, as such, in the list of ingredients, provided that it is immediately accompanied by a list, in brackets, of the raw ingredients in descending order of proportion.

6. The recommended consumption and feeding recommendations on the product label shall have scientific basis, and the expression shall be rigorous, avoiding the use of such words as “must” and “strict”.

7. Industry associations and other social organizations are encouraged to play the role of industry guidance and self-discipline in regulating the labeling of enterprise product and publicity claims. If any organization or individual finds violations of the Announcement or other food safety laws and regulations or infringement of consumer rights, please call “12315” to make a complaint and report.

Where the product label does not comply with the above requirements, the production enterprise shall complete the product label change within 6 months from the date of the Announcement. After the change, the original label shall not be used any longer. Products previously produced can be sold till the end of the shelf life.

If you are interested in the draft standard, please feel free to contact us!

Hongtao Fei

Tel: 010-51301566

email: feiht@antion.net