Food safety standards and food labeling and testing regulations are core parts of China’s food law and regulation. A lookback at drafts in 2020 illustrates that many important rules and standards on labeling, packaging, and testing are under revision, and while timelines are difficult to predict, there could be notable changes to such regulations and standards in 2021. Below is a collection of key draft food-related regulations and standards in China and the latest status for readers who are looking to monitor for change in this area over the next year.

Draft Regulation Date Issued Comment Period

Administrative Measures on Food Safety Standards (Draft for Comment)

《食品安全标准管理办法》(征求意见稿)

Sept. 16, 2020 Sept. 16 – Oct. 15, 2020

National Food Safety Standard GB 28050 General Rules for Nutrition Labeling of Prepackaged Foods (Draft for Comment)

《食品安全国家标准 GB 28050 预包装食品营养标签通则》(征求意见稿)

Aug. 31, 2020 Aug. 31 – Oct. 20, 2020

Measures for the Supervision and Administration of the Quality and Safety of Food-Related Products (Draft for Comment) [Includes packaging and food contact substances.]

《食品相关产品质量安全监督管理办法》(征求意见稿)

July 30, 2020 July 30 – Aug. 31, 2020

Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Food Labeling (Draft for Comment)

《食品标识监督管理办法》(征求意见稿)

July 27, 2020 July 27 – Aug. 26, 2020

Measures for the Administration of Import and Export Food Safety (Draft for Comment)

《进出口食品安全管理办法》(征求意见稿)

June 12, 2020 June 12 – July 11, 2020

National Food Safety Standard GB 7718 General Rules for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods (Draft for Comment)

《食品安全国家标准 GB 7718 预包装食品标签通则》(征求意见稿)

Jan. 3, 2020 Jan. 3 – Feb. 28, 2020

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Contributors for the China & APAC Food, Drug, Device, and Cosmetics blog:

John Balzano, Julia Post, Muyun Hu, Annie Wang, and Kaixin Fan

Photo of Annie Wang Annie Wang

Annie Wang is an associate in the firm’s Washington, DC office, where she is a member of the Food, Drug, and Device and the Litigation and Investigations Practice Groups. She represents companies and trade associations on a range of regulatory, policy, and litigation…

Annie Wang is an associate in the firm’s Washington, DC office, where she is a member of the Food, Drug, and Device and the Litigation and Investigations Practice Groups. She represents companies and trade associations on a range of regulatory, policy, and litigation matters.