FAIRS Country Report Food and Agricultural Import Regulations And
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THIS REPORT CONTAINS ASSESSMENTS OF COMMODITY AND TRADE ISSUES MADE BY USDA STAFF AND NOT NECESSARILY STATEMENTS OF OFFICIAL U.S. GOVERNMENT POLICY Required Report - public distribution Date: 12/30/2015 GAIN Report Number: CH 15076 China - Peoples Republic of Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards - Narrative FAIRS Country Report Approved By: Jennifer Clever Prepared By: Jennifer Clever and Ma Jie Report Highlights: During 2015, on the backdrop of continuous food scandals and rising consumer concerns, Chinese food regulators continued the onerous task of regaining consumer’s trust by revamping China’s Food Safety Regime. Over the past two years, China has reviewed and issued thousands of new food safety and hygiene standards. Most notably, China’s 2015 Food Safety Law came into effect on October 1. In addition to specific implementing rules, a series of regulations, rules, and measures will be issued to carry out the provisions of the Law. This report attempts to capture the key Chinese food standards and provisions that relate to imported products destined for the Chinese market and notes changes or modifications to existing standards. However, given China’s current dynamic food regulatory environment, it is highly recommended that U.S. exporters verify the full set of imported requirements with their foreign customers prior to shipping goods to this market. Contents Executive Summary: .................................................................................................................................... 4 Report Format .............................................................................................................................................. 4 Disclaimer ..................................................................................................................................................... 5 I. Chinese Food Safety Regulators .......................................................................................................... 6 1. China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) ................................................................................. 6 2. Ministry of Agriculture (MOA)......................................................................................................... 6 3. National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) .......................................................... 6 4. The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) .......... 6 5. Ministry of Commerce and Trade (MOFCOM) ................................................................................ 7 6. Ministry of Public Security ............................................................................................................... 7 II. General Food Laws ............................................................................................................................... 7 1. The Food Safety Law ........................................................................................................................ 7 2. Law on Farm Product Quality and Safety........................................................................................ 8 3. Consumer Rights Protection Law .................................................................................................... 8 4. Law on the Inspection of Import and Export Commodities and its implementation rules ........... 9 5. Law on the Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine and its implementation rules .............. 9 6. Special Rules of the State Council for Reinforcing Safety Supervision and Management of Food and Other Products ............................................................................................................................................. 9 7. Grains Law ........................................................................................................................................ 9 III. Food Safety Regulations, Rules and the Standard Structure ......................................................... 9 1. AQSIQ Administrative Measures for the Safety of Imported and Exported Foods (Decree 144) . 9 2. Rules for the Implementation of Bad Records Administration on Import Food ......................... 10 3. Food Recall Regulation .................................................................................................................. 10 4. E-commerce ................................................................................................................................... 10 5. New Food Materials ....................................................................................................................... 11 IV. Food Additive Regulations ............................................................................................................. 11 1. Food Additives ............................................................................................................................... 11 2. Flavoring Substances and Flavors ................................................................................................. 12 3. Nutritional Fortification Substances ............................................................................................. 12 V. Pesticides and Other Contaminants .................................................................................................. 13 2 1. Pesticide Registration and Establishment of Maximum Residue Level ....................................... 13 3. Maximum Levels of Contaminants in Foods ................................................................................. 14 4. Pathogen Limits for Food ............................................................................................................... 14 VI. Packaging and Container Requirements ....................................................................................... 14 VII. Labeling requirements ................................................................................................................... 15 VIII. Facility and product registration requirements ............................................................................ 16 1. The AQSIQ Administrative Measures for Registration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food (Decree 145) ............................................................................................................................................... 16 2. Record Filing for Foreign Exporters/Agents of Food Products and Consignee of Imported Food Products to China (AQSIQ Public Notice [2012] No.55) ........................................................................................... 16 3. AQSIQ Notice concerning Soliciting Comments on the “Administrative Measures for Foreign Food Importer’s Review and Inspection of Overseas Enterprises” ................................................................... 17 4. Good Manufacturing Practices ...................................................................................................... 17 IX. Product Specific Regulations and Standards ................................................................................ 19 1. Dairy ............................................................................................................................................... 19 1) Specific Regulations for Dairy Imports ...................................................................................... 19 2) National Food Safety Standards for Dairy Products ................................................................. 21 2. Meat and Poultry Products ............................................................................................................ 22 1) Regulations................................................................................................................................. 22 2) National Standards of Meat and Poultry Products ................................................................... 23 3. Vegetable Oil .................................................................................................................................. 24 4. Biotech ........................................................................................................................................... 24 5. Grains ............................................................................................................................................. 25 6. Feed ................................................................................................................................................ 26 7. Organic food ................................................................................................................................... 27 8. Seafood .......................................................................................................................................... 28 Live seafood exports to China ................................................................................................................... 28 Appendix: ................................................................................................................................................... 29 1. Government Regulatory Agency Contacts .................................................................................... 29 2. Other Import Specialist Contacts .................................................................................................. 29 3. Framework of the China’s National Food Safety Standards