National Medical Products Administration: Standardizing Food Labeling

The focus of supervision and inspection includes infant formula, infant complementary foods, dairy products, alcoholic beverages, meat products, grain-based processed foods, and edible vegetable oils, among other food categories.

　　The State Administration for Market Regulation recently issued a notice addressing inaccuracies, inconsistencies, and other issues—along with illegal and non-compliant practices—found in the current management of food and food additive labeling. The agency has instructed local authorities to launch a special inspection campaign focused on food labeling compliance. This was reported by our reporter on the 1st, citing information from the State Administration for Market Regulation.

　　The notice states that the key focus of this special supervision and inspection will be on infant formula, infant complementary foods, dairy products, alcoholic beverages, meat products, grain-based processed foods, and edible vegetable oils, among other food categories.

　　The notice emphasizes the need to carefully check whether label markings comply with relevant regulatory requirements and special provisions, including verifying the absence of any information that is strictly prohibited from being included. It also instructs inspectors to ensure that the names, addresses, and production license numbers of both the commissioning and commissioned entities are accurately indicated as required, as well as confirming that labels clearly state the name, address, and packaging date of the unit responsible for repackaging. Additionally, the notice calls for scrutiny to prevent exaggerated claims or illegal labeling of target populations, functional ingredients, dosage levels, and other such details.

　　The notice also urges local food safety regulatory authorities to fully leverage the role of social oversight, encourage industry self-regulation and self-discipline, ensure smooth channels for complaints and reports, and establish a rational and effective social supervision mechanism.

　　The National Medical Products Administration will, based on the outcomes of targeted supervision and inspection efforts, revise and refine the "Administrative Measures for Food Labeling" in accordance with food safety laws, regulations, and standards. This move aims to further standardize food labeling practices among production and business entities, while also encouraging consumers to make informed, safe purchasing decisions.