ZMUni Compliance Centre

On October 24, 2024, China's General Administration of Customs (GACC) released its list of non-compliant imported foods for September 2024. A total of 471 batches from 36 countries/regions were rejected, reflecting a notable increase of 56.5% from August and 60.2% year-over-year.

The majority of non-compliant imports came from the U.S. (14.6%, mainly beer), followed by South Korea (13.0%, primarily beverages), Ecuador (7.4%, all seafood), and Taiwan, China (7.4%, mostly snacks). Key reasons for import rejections included:

- Non-compliance with national food standards

- Unqualified labeling

- Mismatch between cargo and certificates

- Detection of animal diseases

- Packaging issues

ZMUni Compliance Centre has highlighted some notable cases from the September import alert for your reference:

1. Mixed Color Additives in Puffed Snacks from the U.S.

A puffed snack product was denied entry due to several compliance issues, one of which involved the overuse of mixed pigments. Specifically, the combined levels of Tartrazine and Sunset Yellow FCF pigments exceeded the allowable threshold of 1.0 in the combined usage ratio, reaching 1.1.

According to China's National Food Safety Standard Standard for Uses of Food Additives (GB 2760-2014), similar pigments used together should not exceed a combined ratio of 1.0 of their maximum allowed levels.

2. Ginseng Extract in Lozenges from New Zealand

A lozenge product was refused entry because its ginseng extract did not meet national food safety standards. In 2012, China's Ministry of Health (now the National Health Commission) approved the use of ginseng grown under five years as a novel food ingredient, with a daily consumption limit of 3 grams.

In 2024, a new regulation on plant extracts (GB/T 43808-2024) was introduced, defining plant extracts as products derived from plants through processes like extraction, concentration, and drying, without altering the plant's natural structure.

However, standards for plant extracts used as food ingredients remain inconsistent. Generally, food-grade extracts must be sourced from edible plants and use extraction methods, such as water-based processing, that do not change the plant's natural composition.

3. Caffeine in Energy Drinks from Malaysia

Several energy drinks from Malaysia were denied entry for excessive caffeine levels. Under China's National Food Safety Standard Standard for Uses of Food Additives (GB 2760-2014) and the National Food Safety Standard General Standard for Sports Nutrition Food (GB 24154-2015) , caffeine is allowed as an additive in cola beverages, with a maximum limit of 0.15 g/kg. For sports nutrition products, the permitted daily caffeine intake ranges from 20 to 100 mg. Companies should carefully review caffeine limits and product categories before importing.

ZMUni Reminder:

In 2023, China GACC reported 2,358 batches of food imports failing to meet entry requirements. By September 2024, this number had already climbed to 3,035 batches, marking a substantial increase over last year.

Food safety is critical. To minimize entry rejections, businesses should reinforce compliance checks prior to export, ensure customs documentation accuracy, and strengthen supplier quality management. Staying updated on the latest food regulations and standards, along with consulting on compliance when needed, can help secure smooth market entry.

ZMUni Compliance Centre brings extensive expertise in pre-packaged food compliance and import clearance. For inquiries or support to ensure the efficient and successful entry of your products into China and other markets, please contact us at info@zmuni.com.

Additionally, ZMUni is hosting a webinar on November 5, 2024, to guide global stakeholders through essential updates and practical strategies for entering China’s food market. Don’t miss this chance to deepen your understanding and ensure a smooth entry for your products! Click the image below to register for free!