The implementation of China’s new Food Safety Law on 1 Oct 2015 has provided a key impetus for Chinese authorities to accelerate the revision and publication of a series of supporting standards. On 29 Sep 2015, China’s National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) released 70 draft standards relating to food safety for public consultation until 31 Oct 2015.
Among the draft standards, there are 6 key national food safety standards relating to food contact materials in China, including:
A reform of all food product standards began in 2013. All existing GB standards are to be harmonized with the new Food Safety Law. The new food safety standards set out the requirements for raw materials, sensory parameters, physical and chemical specifications, additives and migration specifications, etc. Some requirements have been significantly revised, while others have been formatted without significant practical changes. Of particular interest are the standards which come attached with a consolidated positive list of permitted substances such as that used to standardize the use of food contact materials.
In addition, a series of testing method standards for the determination FCM migration into their associated foodstuff have also been issued for public consultation. Stakeholders should pay attention to the drafts and submit feedbacks online.