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Imported Infant Formula Milk Powder: How to get access to China market?

from CIRS by

According to the quality and safety report of imported food in China from 2010 to 2014, the imported volume of infant formula milk powder increased by years, and AQSIQ also attaches great importance to the safety and quality of imported infant formula milk powder, supervises this food category strictly (including the formula check and registration). Meanwhile, the policies for imported infant formula milk powder are changeable, so for related enterprises, they should pay attention to relevant laws and regulations, to make sure the products can be imported to China successfully.

1. What is infant formula milk powder in China?

The infant formula milk powder in China in this article includes infant formula milk powder (0-6 months, 1 stage), older infant formula milk powder (6-12 months, 2 stage) and young children formula milk powder (12-36 months, 3 stage).

I. Infant formula milk powder for 0-6 months belongs to Infant formula (0-6 months): the main raw material is milk and milk protein products, with appropriate amounts of vitamins, minerals and/ or other ingredients. The product is only processed by physical method and the final form is liquid or powder. It is suitable for normal infant, and the nutrients and energy can meet the nutritional needs of normal infant of 0-6 months.

II. Infant formula milk powder for 6-36 months belongs to older infants and young children formula: the main raw material is milk and milk protein products, with appropriate amounts of vitamins, minerals and/ or other ingredients. The product is only processed by physical method and the final form is liquid or powder. It is suitable for normal old infant and young children, and the nutrients and energy can meet the nutritional needs of normal old infant and young children.

2. The laws and regulations for imported infant formula milk powder in China

2.1 Laws and regulations

S.N.

Items

1

The Food Safety Law of China (CN version free download)

2

The Administrative Measure of Imported and Exported Food Safety (CN version free download)

3

The Administrative Measure of Inspection, Quarantine, and Supervision of Imported and Exported Dairy Products (CN version free download)

4

The Administrative Measure for Overseas Manufacturer Registration of Imported Food (CN version free download)

5

The AQSIQ Notice of the Implementation Requirements about “The Administrative Measure of Inspection, Quarantine, and Supervision of Imported and Exported Dairy Products”(CN version free download)

6

The AQSIQ Notice about Strengthening the Management of Imported Infant Formula Milk Powder(CN version free download)

7

The Administrative Measures on the Formula Registration of Infant Formula Milk Powder (CN version free download)

2.2 Standards

S.N.

Items

1

GB 10765-2010Food Safety National Standards for Infant Formula (CN version free download)

2

GB 10767-2010Older Infants and Young Children Formula (CN version free download)

3

GB 2760-2014 Food Safety National Standards for the Usage of Food Additives (CN version free download)

4

GB 14880-2012 Food Safety National Standards for the Usage of Nutrition Enrichment (CN version free download)

5

GB13432-2013General Rules for the Labeling of Prepackaged Food for Special Dietary Uses (CN version free download)

6

GB 7718-2011 General Rules for the Labeling of Prepackaged Food (CN version free download)

7

GB 28050-2011 General Rules for Nutrition Labeling of Prepackaged Foods (CN version free download)

3. How to import infant formula milk powder to China?

S.N.

Items

Detailed content

1

Importer and exporter record

  • The overseas food exporter or his agent should apply for the record to AQSIQ.
  • The importer should apply for the record to the local CIQ.

2

Overseas manufacturer registration

  • The products cannot be imported until the overseas manufacturer is registered.
  • AQSIQ is in charge of the registration, and CNCA organizes and supervises the registration.
  • Overseas manufacturers should guarantee the products meet the requirements of Chinese regulations and National Standards, and provide the required testing report.
  • Public can find the registered overseas manufacturers on the website of CNCA

3

Formula check

  • The product formula should be in compliance with the product national standards of GB 10765-2010, GB 10767-2010, and relevant notices;
  • The usage of food additives and nutrition enrichment in infant formula food should be in compliance with GB 2760-2014, GB 14880-2012 and relevant notices

4

Formula registration

5

Nutrition information report

  • The nutrition information report of imported food should be submitted when importing, which includes the energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, sodium, nutrition enrichment, and other nutrients with nutrition claims.

6

GB Testing report

  • For the first import, importer or agency should provide the testing report covers all items listed in the national standard of corresponding products, including the required mycotoxins and contaminant for the product listed in GB 2761-2011 and GB 2762-2012.
  • For the re-import, importer or agency should provide the copy of testing report and inspection form in the first import, and additionally provide the testing report stipulated by AQSIQ (CN version free download for the testing item stipulated by AQSIQ).
  • Information in the testing report mentioned above should in compliance with the production date or production batches of imported products.
  • Testing items may be adjusted according to the latest national standards and notices, enterprises should pay attention to the change of regulations.

7

Chinese label

  • The information on the Chinese label should be in compliance with GB 13432-2013 and the requirements in the corresponding product national standard.
  • The Chinese label of imported infant formula milk powder should be printed on the smallest retail package before the entry, and cannot be affixed in China. If there is no Chinese label on the package, or the Chinese label is in-compliant with Chinese laws and regulations, the products will be returned or destroyed.

8

Material preparation

  • Certificate of origin, certificate of hygiene for dairy products, and other relevant certificates are required when importing.

9

Other important matters about imported infant formula milk powder

  • If the time interval from the inspection date to expiry date of the product is less than 3 months, the inspection and import is not accepted.
  • The product should be packaged in the smallest retail package to sell to consumers, the large packaging infant formula milk powder is forbidden to import.

Chinese government issued a number of law and regulations, including The Food Safety Law, Administrative Measures on Product Formula Registration of Infant Formula Milk Powder, Supervision and Management on Cross-Border Electronic Commerce of Imported Food through Bonded Online Shopping (exposure draft), to further strengthen the supervision of pre-packaged food, special food and food contact materials in traditional trade mode and new trade mode. As a kind of high risk food, infant formula milk powder has been highly concerned by government and society, and the quality control and supervision by Chinese government become more and more strict, related imported enterprises shall keep focus on the new regulations, strictly comply with the requirements of Chinese laws and regulations, to avoid the unnecessary cost and social credibility loss.

CIRS will continue to pay attention to the regulation change about infant formula milk powder, and enterprises also need to prepare for compliance in advance.

For more information of CIRS regulatory compliance service on infant formula milk powder, please click here.

If you have any other questions, please contact us at service@cirs-group.com.

  

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