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Q&As of Food Safety Standard 3:Probiotics
2019-01-08 17:39  Click:354
 novel food probiotic china food regulation co<em></em>nsultant Foodmate
 Can probiotics be labelled with nutrition claims or nutrient function claims?


No. Probiotics do not belong to the nutrients specified in relevant standards. Therefore, probiotics shall not be labelled in nutrition facts, the labelling of probiotics shall comply with GB 7718-2011 National Food Safety Standard General Principles for Labels of Prepackaged Food.


Extended analysis:



Food nutrition facts is the display of nutrients, nutritional information, appropriate nutrition claims and health claims on the outer food package.

GB 28050-2011 National Food Safety Standard General Principles for Nutrition Labels of Prepackaged Food stipulates, the nutrient function claims are the prescribed terms indicating that certain nutrients are essential for maintaining normal growth, development and normal physiological functions of human body. Nutrition claims are classified into nutrient content claims and nutrient comparative claims. Appendix C of GB 28050 specifies the requirements, conditions and synonyms of nutrient content claims and comparative claims. Appendix D specifies the standard terminology for nutrient function claims

When the nutrients in foods meet the requirements of GB 28050, nutrition claims can be labelled. All foods with nutrient function claims should be labelled with corresponding nutrient contents and the nutrients shall meet the conditions of claim. Censoring or modifying the standard terminology or using terms other than the standard terminology are considered to be in violation of national standards. Probiotics do not belong to the nutrients specified in relevant standards. Therefore, probiotics shall not be labelled in nutrition facts and shall not be labelled with nutrition claims or nutrient function claims. The labelling of probiotics shall comply with GB 7718. 

Source: NHC Beijing

Please note: Original article of Global Foodmate of Information Service and Business Department, please indicate the source from the Global Foodmate if reprint.