导航菜单
On February 2, 2026, China's General Administration of Customs (GACC) released its list of non-compliant imported food products for December 2025. A total of 406 batches from 40 countries and regions were denied entry, representing a month-on-month decrease of approximately 9% (down 38 batches from 444 in November) and a year-on-year decline of about 12% (down 54 batches from 460 in the same period last year).
The rejected shipments covered a wide range of categories, including frozen meat and poultry products, edible oils, beverages, confectionery, aquatic products, preserved fruits, complementary foods for infants and young children, and seasonings. By country of origin, the United States, Japan and Russia recorded the highest numbers of rejected batches, at 125, 27 and 25 respectively.
Key Issues Identified:
Labeling issues remain the top concern, accounting for 20.73% of non-compliances, followed by the presence of megestrol acetate and medroxyprogesterone acetate in violation of China’s national food safety standards (16.40%), discrepancies between goods and accompanying documentation (9.11%), failure to meet sensory inspection requirements (6.83%), and non-compliant use of food additives (5.92%). Other issues included products lacking market access approval, detection of animal diseases, microbiological non-compliance, and packaging deficiencies.
According to the list of non-compliant imported food products for December 2025, six batches of infant cereal-based complementary foods from Turkey were rejected, all due to non-compliant labeling.
Infant cereal-based complementary foods are intended for infants and young children aged 6–36 months and fall under the category of foods for special dietary uses. Their safety and labeling compliance are critical to infant health and normal growth. In China, such products must comply not only with GB 13432 National Food Safety Standard for Labeling of Prepackaged Foods for Special Dietary Uses, but also with the specific requirements of GB 10769 National Food Safety Standard for Cereal-based Complementary Foods for Infants and Young Children.
The revised GB 10769-2025 was jointly issued on March 16, 2025 by China's National Health Commission (NHC) and the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), with a one-year transition period. The new standard will officially come into force on March 16, 2026, fully replacing GB 10769-2010.
Key updates in GB 10769-2025 compared with the previous version include:
1. Inclusion of ready-to-eat infant cereal-based complementary foods;
2. Introduction of maximum limits for certain nutrients;
3. Adjustment and expansion of indicators for mandatory and optional nutrients (including vitamin C, magnesium and iodine) to better meet infants’ nutritional needs;
4. A prohibition on the use of honey to mitigate the risk of botulism;
5. A reduction in the energy contribution from added sugars to support infant nutrition and health;
6. Harmonization of limits for contaminants, mycotoxins and pathogenic microorganisms by referencing relevant general standards.
Under the new standard:
1. Product labels must comply with GB 13432, and the nutrition information panel must additionally declare values per 100 kJ;
2. Product category identification
Labels shall clearly indicate the product category as defined in the standard, including:
Infant Cereal-Based Complementary Foods: products to be prepared with milk or other suitable protein-containing liquids, or consumed in a ready-to-eat form;
High-Protein Infant Cereal-Based Complementary Foods: products formulated with added high-protein ingredients, to be prepared with water or other suitable non-protein-containing liquids, or consumed in a ready-to-eat form;
Uncooked Infant Cereal-Based Complementary Foods: products that must be cooked prior to consumption;
Other Infant Cereal-Based Complementary Foods: products that may be consumed directly, or crushed and prepared with water, milk, or other suitable liquids, such as biscuits, teething rusks, and similar products.
3. For non-ready-to-eat infant cereal-based complementary foods, the label must indicate statements such as “to be prepared with milk or other suitable protein-containing liquids,” or equivalent wording.
ZMUni Compliance Centre reminds all industry stakeholders that food safety remains a top priority. Companies are encouraged to strengthen pre-import compliance checks, carefully verify customs documentation, and enhance supplier quality management to reduce the risk of import rejections.
Overseas food manufacturers and importers should stay up to date with the latest food laws and standards, and seek professional compliance guidance when needed to ensure smooth and timely market entry.
For more information on China food compliance, including formula and label review services, please visit our food services pages or contact us at info@zmuni.com.
http://jckspj.customs.gov.cn/spj/2026-02/02/article_2026020215424222174.html
