On March 27, 2025, National Health Commission (NHC) released the GB 7718-2025 General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods, replacing the previous GB 7718-2011. This standard will take effect from March 16, 2027.
The main contents changed as follows:
- Expanding the definition and scope of application:
|
Definition |
2011 |
2025 |
|
Prepackaged foods |
Prepackaged or prepared food in packaging materials and containers, including prepackaged or prepared food in packaging materials and containers in advance and labeled with uniform quality or quantity within certain quantity limits. |
Prepackaged or prepared food in packaging material or containers. Includes foods that are prepackaged or prepared in packaging material or containers and are of uniform mass, volume or length within certain quantity limits; it also includes foods that are prepackaged or prepared in packaging material or containers and are sold by weight. |
The definition of prepackaged food is expanded to include "food that is prepackaged or made in packaging materials or containers for sale according to measurement". In addition, the definition of prepackaged food in GB 7718-2011 includes prepackaged food and pre-made food in packaging materials or containers with uniform labels of quality or volume and the quality or volume is within a certain limit. The new version adds "length" as an additional uniform measurement.
- Some product label content has been removed:
Specific requirements for product labels such as font size, net content and manufacturer's information on labels are mentioned in GB 7718 and are separately regulated according to the requirements of food safety supervision and management agencies.
- Digital labels:
Digital labels are food labels displayed on food packaging and displayed using information technology such as QR codes
Encourage manufacturers to use digital labels in addition to traditional labels.
The content displayed on digital labels must comply with the law, food safety standards and must be consistent with the information on the packaging.
The content must be clear, easy to read, and not edited. Additional video and audio can be supported to serve special consumers.
If digital labels are used to display mandatory information, the printed label on the packaging can be simplified.
- Ingredients and Quantitative ingredients:
Clearly state the name of the microorganism strain, possibly with the strain code and the content of the active Microorganism.
If the label specifically emphasizes the addition of one or more ingredients, clearly state the quantity.
- Allergens:
- For GB 7718-2011: Allergen labeling is not mandatory, but it is recommended to label if the product contains ingredients that are likely to cause allergies. There are also no specific instructions on how to label
- For GB 7718-2025: Becomes mandatory content on food labels and has detailed instructions
About labeling: This can be written directly in the ingredient list in bold or underlined text. Or a separate warning can be written near the ingredient list, for example: (This product contains peanuts, eggs, milk – may cause allergies)Cross-contamination risk note: Recommended if the product may be cross-contaminated during manufacturing. For example: This product may contain trace amounts of tree nuts.
Labeling exemptions:
- Some ingredients that have been highly refined to remove protein components (e.g. refined soybean oil, fish gelatin).
- If the product has only one ingredient and the product name clearly indicates the allergen (e.g. “Cow’s milk”).
- Wine and distilled spirits
- Nutrition labeling:
- For GB 7718-2011: Optional (in cases where labeling is required under other laws, regulations and standards)
- For GB 7718-2025: Required for all prepackaged foods (except for exemptions under GB 28050 and GB 13432)
- Labeling of imported food:
GB 7718-2025 stipulates that all visible labeling contents on imported prepackaged food must comply with the laws and regulations of China. The labeling contents must have corresponding Chinese and English versions. Any other foreign language content on the label must comply with standard Chinese characters, except for the trademark, name and address of the manufacturer, name and address of the foreign business entity and website.
Required contents: Product name, ingredients, net weight and specifications, production date and expiry date, storage conditions, allergens, nutrition label, warnings, name and address of the manufacturer and business entity, foreign manufacturer registration number, country of origin.
For detailed advice, please contact Eurofins' advisory team at email address : Advisory@eurofinsasia.com
