Changzhou Lab Finds Chinese Labeling Gaps in 5 Imported Food-Contact Batches

As international trade networks expand and cross-border goods movement accelerates, China—a major global trading nation—imports goods on a massive scale each year. At the same time, packaging and labeling compliance for imported products continues to reveal a range of challenges.

Recently, the food-contact materials laboratory at the Changzhou Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau in Jiangsu Province accepted five batches of imported food-contact products for testing. The samples included ceramic cups, plastic drinking cups, non-stick pans and children's tableware. All five batches were found to fall short of the labeling rules in China's Work Specifications for the Inspection and Supervision of Imported and Exported Food Contact Products (Trial). Problems included missing Chinese labels, Chinese labels that did not state the import agent's name, contact details or address, and labels that lacked applicable conditions, warning symbols or Chinese warning statements.

Under the trial specifications, labels and instructions on imported food-contact products or their sales packaging must use standard Chinese characters, excluding trademarks. They must also state the product name, material, country or region of production, foreign manufacturer name, and the import agent's name, contact information and address. Products with a limited period of use must clearly show that period in a prominent position. Where improper use could damage the product or threaten personal or property safety, applicable conditions, warning symbols or Chinese warning instructions are required.

Missing or non-compliant Chinese labels can prevent consumers from using products correctly and can also make traceability difficult when quality issues arise. The Changzhou Inspection and Quarantine Bureau therefore reminds companies that imported food-contact products must carry a Chinese label on the product itself or on its final sales packaging. When choosing suppliers and negotiating contract terms, businesses should treat 'affixing product markings that meet China's requirements' as one of the basic principles for purchasing qualified products.

— Source: Reprinted from China Packaging Network (pack.cn); original link: http://news.pack.cn/show-361893.html