07.01.08
China’s labeling guidelines for pre-packaged foods, which went into effect on May 1st, could pave the way for self-regulation within the industry, according to European Advisory Services (EAS), Brussels, Belgium. While the guidelines are mandatory for companies using nutrition labels or claims on their products, others may be well-advised to consider voluntary compliance, pre-empting further legislation. According to the new guidelines, the amounts of energy, protein, fat, carbohydrates and sodium should be expressed on the product label (in that specific order) per 100 grams or 100 ml, or per serving as quantified on the label. Labeling the amount of fatty acids, sugar, vitamins and minerals in the product remains optional. The guidelines also require companies to label their products’ nutrient contents as a percentage of the Nutrient Reference Value (NRV). The Ministry of Health may set further mandatory nutrition labeling for certain types of food in accordance with the needs of consumers, the regulations state. Additionally, the guidelines set labeling requirements for claims that are made on products—with a few exemptions—including restrictions on font size and the positioning of certain claims on the package.