Health Foods & Supplements

On 28.03.2019, the SAMR (State Administration for Market Regulation) released three major adjustments to health food function claims, which are open to public comments. First, 18 health function claims are being modified because they are deemed imprecise, misleading or exaggerated. For instance, SAMR suggests to replace 减肥 (Fat reduction) with 有助于调节体脂 (Bodyfat Adjustment Support). Second, 21 existing health food function claims might be cancelled. Even though they were considered acceptable in the past, they will not gain approval when reviewed now. For example 促进头发生长 (Promotes hair growth). Third, 6 health care function claims will have to be further studied and proven, as they are easily confused with drug-like disease prevention or treatment. For example 辅助降血压 (Helps Lower Blood Pressure).

On 06.09.2018, the NHC (National Health Commission) issued a draft of 11 national food safety standards for public comments (NHC No. 780-2018). On 12.09.2018, the NHC published a revision draft of the GB standard legislation program (2018) for public comment, covering 62 national food safety standards (No. 795-2018). Both announcements address many test methods.Note: The Chinese term Guobiao (GB) means national standard.

AQSIQ is planning to introduce an official certificate of clearance for all food imports.On 1.10.2017 announcement 83 2017 issued by AQSIQ (Administration for Quality, Safety, Inspection and Quarantine of China) will come into force. From then on, all food exported to China must be accompanied by an official certificate of clearance, which is to be issued by the competent authorities in the country of origin. Up to now, AQSIQ has not communicated any details, like which authorities are accepted by AQSIQ or which information is to be contained in the certificate.Many of China's trade partners have already filed a note of protest at WTO against this regulation and the feasibility of the Chinese plans is most uncertain according to expert opinions.We shall inform you immediately, if there are any news on the certificate of clearance.For further information please contact:Cisema GmbHTel.: +49 89 4161 7389 00Fax: +49 89 7484 9956info@cisema.dewww.cisema.com

NMPA simplifies registration of dietary supplements. At the end of February 2016, NMPA[1] published the revised administrative regulation for the registration and registration of food supplements by way of Notice No. 22. It will enter into force on July 1, 2016 and is a further step towards implementing the new food safety law in China, which was passed by the NPC[2] in April last year.The new Directive distinguishes between vitamin and mineral supplements and other food supplements. A positive list of authorised ingredients will also be introduced; a first draft was published in February 2016. Simplified regulations will apply to products made from these ingredients in the future.NMPA registration for vitamin and mineral preparations whose ingredients are on the positive list is no longer required. They only have to be registered once at the NMPA counter before the first import and can then be imported indefinitely.All other dietary supplements whose ingredients are on the positive list must still be registered with the NMPA, but after that date there is no need for re-registration after five years. Food supplements can then be imported indefinitely after a one-time registration at the NMPA counter.For all other dietary supplements whose ingredients are not on the positive list, nothing changes. They must still be registered with the NMPA and re-registered every five years.MOF[3] prevents cross-border Internet trade in food supplementsOn 7 April 2016, the MOF revised its rules on cross-border Internet trading (CBEC - Commodities Traded through Cross-Border E-Commerce) by issuing No. 40. In this context, a positive list was adopted listing the products which may continue to be traded across borders via the Internet. The entire Healthfood area is explicitly excluded. The Chinese customs authorities and CIQ[4] are responsible for the enforcement of the new regulation.Further information on the topics mentioned can be obtained from:Cisema GmbHTel.: +49 89 4161 7389 – 00Fax: +49 89 7484 9956info@cisema.dewww.cisema.de[1]China Food and Drug Administration[2]National People's Congress[3]Ministry of Finance[4]China Inspection and Quarantine Office