China Mandates Nutrition Labels on Prepackaged Food Packaging from 2013: “1+4” and NRV Rules Take Effect

Starting January 1, 2013, China will require nutrition labels on prepackaged foods. Under the National Food Safety Standard — General Rules for Nutrition Labeling of Prepackaged Foods, all prepackaged foods must carry a nutrition label unless they are specifically listed as exempt. The label must state the content of four core nutrients: protein, fat, carbohydrates and sodium. Products with non-compliant nutrition labels will be barred from sale.

The core purpose of the nutrition labeling system is to make nutritional information easier for consumers to see and compare. Nutrition labels are regarded as an important tool for chronic disease prevention, encouraging shoppers to pay attention to nutrient content and make more informed dietary choices. For food packaging, the label is also a key carrier of this information.

From 2013, China will implement a food nutrition labeling management system that mandates the declaration of energy and four nutrients, including their content values and reference values. Professor Yang Yuexin, vice chairman of the Chinese Nutrition Society and of the National Institute for Nutrition and Food Safety under the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, noted that industrialization, urbanization and population aging have accelerated, while chronic disease cases have risen rapidly. She said nutrition labels guide consumers to focus on nutrients and serve as an important measure for chronic disease prevention.

The General Rules require prepackaged foods to display the content values of energy and four nutrients — the “1+4” — along with their percentages of the nutrient reference value. The four core nutrients are protein, fat, carbohydrates and sodium. Yang said newly produced products must show not only nutrient and energy content but also NRV percentages, which help consumers compare foods. For example, a 30% protein NRV means the product can meet about one-third of daily protein needs, a simpler and more practical guide than net values alone. A representative from Arawana said the company will implement the labeling standard and work to promote it.

Surveys show that Chinese consumers’ dietary intake of salt, fat and energy is relatively high, and the fight against chronic non-communicable diseases remains challenging. Diet is a key factor in these diseases. Scientific research and overseas regulatory experience indicate that nutrition information on food labels can help the public make sensible dietary choices, reduce intake of saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium, and increase dietary fiber. This makes labeling a useful way to prevent diet-related chronic diseases.

According to the Ministry of Health website, the General Rules for Nutrition Labeling of Prepackaged Foods require prepackaged foods to mandatorily declare four nutrients and energy, including their content values and NRV percentages. The four nutrients are protein, fat, carbohydrates and sodium. If ingredients contain hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils, or if such oils are used during production, trans fat (fatty acid) content must also be declared. The standard also sets specific rules for other nutrient declarations, nutrition claims and nutrient function claims.

A recent survey of several supermarkets in the city by the reporter found that many prepackaged foods still lack nutrition information. Sales staff said the standard takes effect next year and food manufacturers will need time to comply. Most interviewed consumers said they pay more attention to production dates and shelf life on packaging and seldom check nutrition labels. Ms. Wei from Heping District said she looks at ingredients and nutrition labels when buying prepackaged foods, especially fried and baked items, and tries to choose lower-calorie products.

Source: China Packaging Network (pack.cn). Original link: http://news.pack.cn/show-362019.html