China's New GB13432-2013 Labeling Standard for Prepackaged Special Dietary Foods to Take Effect on July 1, 2015

To align the labeling standard for foods for special dietary uses with current product standards and related standards, the newly issued Labeling of Prepackaged Foods for Special Dietary Uses will come into force on July 1, 2015.

Foods for special dietary uses are specially processed or formulated to satisfy particular physical or physiological conditions and/or special dietary needs in states such as illness or disorders. They mainly include infant formula foods, infant complementary foods, foods for special medical purposes and other foods for special dietary uses. Because requirements for the target population and for nutrients and/or other nutritional components are specific, their labels face special requirements for content such as energy and nutritional components, directions for use and indication of the suitable population.

Since the Food Safety Law came into effect, China has issued and implemented basic food safety standards such as General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods (GB7718-2011) and General Standard for the Nutrition Labeling of Prepackaged Foods (GB28050-2011). Product standards for foods for special dietary uses have also been introduced, including Infant Formula (GB10765-2010), Older Infant and Young Child Formula (GB10767-2010), General Standard for Infant Formula for Special Medical Purposes (GB25596-2010) and General Standard for Foods for Special Medical Purposes (GB29922-2013).

In accordance with the Food Safety Law and the Measures for the Administration of National Food Safety Standards, and to keep the labeling standard for foods for special dietary uses aligned with current product standards and related standards, the responsible authority organized the revision of the former General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods for Special Dietary Uses (GB13432-2004). The newly issued Labeling of Prepackaged Foods for Special Dietary Uses (GB13432-2013) will take effect on July 1, 2015.

GB13432-2013 applies to the labeling of prepackaged foods for special dietary uses, including nutrition labeling. It sets out general labeling requirements such as food name, ingredient list, production date and shelf life, as well as nutrition labeling requirements including the nutrition information panel. The standard also defines and classifies foods for special dietary uses; products that fall within that definition and classification must label in accordance with this standard.

——This article is reprinted from China Packaging Network (pack.cn). Original link: http://news.pack.cn/show-361772.html