China has introduced new food safety regulations banning food producers from using terms like “no additives” or “zero additives” on labels, citing concerns that such claims may mislead consumers about the healthfulness of products.
The updated labeling rules are part of a broader revision of the national food safety standards, which includes 50 new guidelines and nine amendments. The changes were announced in a joint circular issued by the National Health Commission and the State Administration for Market Regulation on Thursday. The goal is to improve transparency and address consumer concerns over product labeling.
According to officials, labels that claim “no additives” can give consumers a false impression that the product is inherently healthier. While the term may refer to the production process, it does not necessarily reflect the final composition of the product. For instance, a fruit juice drink labeled as “no added sucrose” may still contain significant amounts of naturally occurring sugar, which such labeling fails to disclose.
The new rules, which include a two-year transition period for compliance, aim to prevent the confusion caused by these misleading labels. Companies like Qianhe Condiment and Food, a major soy sauce producer, have expressed support for the changes and pledged to meet the new requirements as soon as possible.
Qianhe, which recently came under scrutiny for its “Qianhe 0” soy sauce—marketed as additive-free—has faced public criticism following reports that cadmium was detected in several soy sauce brands advertised as having no additives. The controversy raised questions about whether “Qianhe 0” was a genuine reflection of the product’s contents or simply a marketing term.
In response, Qianhe clarified that the cadmium levels found in its soy sauce were within the limits set by national safety standards, and that the product adhered to the “zero additives” label without violating regulations.
The food safety revisions also include stricter rules for allergen labeling. Manufacturers will now be required to highlight allergens such as gluten, peanuts, and shellfish in bold or underlined text to ensure greater visibility for consumers.
For products with a shelf life exceeding six months, only the expiration date will be mandatory, simplifying labeling requirements. Additionally, the government is encouraging the use of digital food labels, allowing consumers to scan QR codes for detailed product information. This digital initiative is already in place for more than 400 pre-packaged food products, offering features like zoom, voice narration, and video explanations to improve accessibility.
Another significant change is the requirement for nutrition labels to include specific information about sugar and saturated fat content, in addition to the previously mandated details on energy, protein, fat, carbohydrates, and sodium.
These changes are part of China’s broader efforts to promote healthier eating habits and provide consumers with more accurate and accessible food information.
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