On August 31, 2020, the Chinese National Health Commission, published the amendments of the mandatory food nutrition labeling standard – GB28050-xxxx for public comments, due by October 20, 2020.[i] These amendments not only address various issues that arose from the implementation of the current GB28050[ii] adopted in 2011, but also help promote Beijing’s long-term Healthy China 2030 policy.
[iii] NHC proposed a range of changes in nutrition labeling to enhance the awareness of food nutrition among Chinese consumers and to provide more guidance for the food industry to promote and build a “Healthier China”.
This article highlights two key areas, i.e., Front of Pack nutrition labeling and declaration of nutrition information.
Front of Pack Nutrition Labeling FOP nutrition labeling has been on the legislative agenda of many food authorities around the globe.
Now China, for the first time, introduces the FOP nutrition labeling concept in the revised standard for nutrition labeling, GB28050-xxxx.
Nutrition labeling is mandatory for prepackaged foods in China, but under the proposed nutrition labeling standard, FOP nutrition labeling is voluntary.
Some international brands have elected to provide FOP nutrition labeling for foods sold in China.
Labeling of the nutrition information is required to follow the requirements in GB28050, including calculation of nutrients, expression units, and rounding rules of nutrient content.
NHC mandates “Zero” declaration in nutrition labeling when the nutrient content hits the corresponding threshold.
NHC also proposes other revisions, such as nutrition labeling exemptions and nutrition claims.