On October 18, 2024, China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) issued a notice inviting public opinions on the "Consultation Draft of the Announcement on Further Strengthening the Management of Raw and Auxiliary Materials for Infant Formula Milk Powder."

The original text is as follows:

In order to further enhance the quality and safety of infant formula milk powder, in accordance with the "Food Safety Law" and relevant regulations on the registration and licensing of infant formula milk powder, SAMR has organized the drafting of the "Consultation Draft of the Announcement on Further Strengthening the Management of Raw and Auxiliary Materials for Infant Formula Milk Powder," and is now inviting opinions from the public. We welcome all relevant units and individuals to propose amendments and provide feedback to SAMR before November 17, 2024. The public can submit their opinions through the following channels and methods:

By logging onto the official website of the State Administration for Market Regulation (URL: http://www.samr.gov.cn), and submitting opinions in the "Surveys and Solicitations" section of the "Interaction" column on the homepage.

By sending an email to tsspsypzcc@samr.gov.cn, with the subject line "Consultation Draft of the Announcement on Further Strengthening the Management of Raw and Auxiliary Materials for Infant Formula Milk Powder."

By mailing a letter to the Special Foods Division of SAMR (Address: No. 9 Madian East Road, Haidian District, Beijing, Postal Code: 100037), and indicating "Consultation Draft of the Announcement on Further Strengthening the Management of Raw and Auxiliary Materials for Infant Formula Milk Powder" on the envelope.

【Attachment】

Consultation Draft of the Announcement on Further Strengthening the Management of Raw and Auxiliary Materials for Infant Formula Milk Powder

In order to further enhance the quality and safety of infant formula milk powder (hereinafter referred to as "infant formula"), the following announcements are made regarding the strengthening of the management of raw and auxiliary materials:

Infant formula manufacturers shall establish a production quality management system in accordance with laws and regulations, set up quality and safety control requirements for raw and auxiliary materials, and improve the procurement and acceptance management system for raw and auxiliary materials. They shall not use composite ingredients that already meet the nutritional requirements of the national food safety standards for infant formula as raw materials for producing infant formula.

Manufacturers using dry processing technology to produce infant formula shall take measures to ensure that the raw and auxiliary materials used, such as whole milk powder, skimmed milk powder, whey powder, whey protein powder, vegetable oil (fat powder), vitamins, and trace elements, not only meet the corresponding food safety standards but also have microbial indicators that meet the product standards for infant formula.

Manufacturers using base powder to produce infant formula shall gradually transition to using base powder produced by enterprises with infant formula production qualifications within two years from the date of this announcement.

Manufacturers using base powder to produce infant formula shall conduct on-site quality and safety audits of the base powder producer to ensure that they implement a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system in accordance with the requirements of the National Food Safety Standards for Good Manufacturing Practices for Dairy Products (GB 12693) and the National Food Safety Standards for Good Manufacturing Practices for Infant Formula (GB 23790), comply with the corresponding content of the base powder in the formula registration certificate, and conduct batch-by-batch inspections of the base powder before leaving the factory.

Manufacturers using base powder to produce infant formula shall formulate quality control documents for the base powder, conduct full-item inspections of each batch of incoming base powder, strictly manage storage and usage, and shorten the shelf life of the base powder.

The use of cow's milk or goat's milk as raw materials for direct processing into infant formula is encouraged. The main panel of the label for infant formula for children over 1 year old may indicate "processed from cow's milk" or "processed from goat's milk" below the product name, with the total font area not exceeding one-half of the total font area used for the product name. Prior to the launch of the product after label adjustments, it shall be registered with the provincial market supervision department as required, without the need to apply for a change in product formula registration. For newly applied infant formula products using base powder, the base powder shall be directly processed from cow's milk or goat's milk.

Provincial market supervision departments shall strictly implement the registration of infant formula production permits and the filing management of raw materials and other matters, urge enterprises to fulfill their primary responsibility for food safety, strictly investigate compliance with raw and auxiliary materials, product formulas, production processes, factory inspections, labeling, and other aspects; for enterprises using base powder to produce infant formula, the specifications and names of the base powder producer shall be indicated in the permit details.

In cases where the current requirements for infant formula registration and licensing are inconsistent with this announcement, this announcement shall prevail.

State Administration for Market Regulation

Click to view the official notice: https://www.samr.gov.cn/hd/zjdc/art/2024/art_4e019d56f1934161aa3135c88c83b984.html