In the third quarter of 2020, the General Administration of Customs announced that from June to August 2020, the national customs inspected 625 batches of food that were not qualified for quality and safety items and were not allowed to enter the country. They involved 24 types of products, mainly including aquatic products, beverages, meat and meat products. The main unqualified items are incomplete product information, irregular labeling and unqualified sensory indicators. Foodmate analyzes the unqualified food categories, the reasons, the place of origin, and the port of entry.

1. Analysis on the Reasons of Unqualified imported Food

For the 625 batches of unqualified food imported from June to August, the reasons for the unqualified products are mainly related to incomplete information, irregular labeling, unqualified sensory indicators, and detection of animal diseases. The proportion of each unqualified reason is shown in Figure 1:
2. Analysis of unqualified imported food categories

Among the unqualified products, there are many batches of aquatic products, beverages and meat and meat products, which are 154 batches, 120 batches and 117 batches respectively. The proportion of imported substandard products is shown in Figure 2:
(1) Aquatic products

A total of 154 batches of unqualified imported aquatic products and their products were detected. The main reasons were animal diseases, non-permission, incomplete data and illegal use of food additives.

(2) Drinks

A total of 120 batches of unqualified beverages were detected. The main reasons were the product's expiration date, incomplete information and irregular labeling.

(3) Meat and meat products

A total of 117 batches of unqualified meat and meat products were detected. The main reasons were unqualified quality indicators, incomplete product information, non-permission and irregular labeling.

(4) Seasoning

A total of 52 batches of unqualified condiments were detected. The main reasons were excessive pesticide residues, unqualified quality indicators and incomplete data.

(5) Alcohol

There are a total of 25 batches of unqualified imported alcohol. The main reasons were incomplete product information, unqualified sensory indicators and illegal use of Acesulfame.

(6) Convenient food

There are a total of 24 batches of unqualified imported convenience foods. The main reasons were excessive microbes, incomplete product information and substandard quality indicators.

3. Analysis of Entry Port

The entry ports of above-mentioned unqualified products are mainly concentrated in Shanghai, Qingdao, Tianjin, Xiamen and other places. The number of unqualified products seized at each entry port is shown in Figure 3:

4. Analysis of the origin of unqualified imported food

From June to August, products from 54 countries or regions were found that did not meet the requirements of Chinese national food safety standards and regulations. Among them, the production areas with a large number of unqualified batches are Vietnam, Japan, Taiwan, and Russia, as shown in Figure 4 below:


Among the unqualified imported foods seized from June to August 2020, Aquatic products, beverages, meat and meat products account for a relatively high proportion. The main reasons are incomplete product information, irregular labeling and unqualified sensory indicators. As an overseas food manufacturer and importer, they must strictly abide by Chinese food laws, regulations and food safety standards, master the requirements of regulations and standards, and conduct compliance consultations when necessary to ensure that imported food meets domestic regulations and standards. As a food business seller, it should fulfill the obligation of product purchase inspection, strengthen the compliance review of product-related qualification certification documents, inspection reports and other aspects to ensure the safety and compliance of the food sold.

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Business Division of Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance of Global Foodmate provides food standards & regulations research, labelling compliance consulting/Chinese label design, industry public opinion monitoring and analysis, registration services (of Infant formula, FSMP, Health food, Novel Food Ingredients, Novel Food Additives, New Varieties of Food-Related Products and Overseas manufacturers of imported food) and other comprehensive food safety solutions for domestic and overseas enterprises and institutions in food industry.

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