GB 2760 is an important basis for the use of food additives in China, The currently valid version is GB 2760-2014 “National food safety standard-Standards for uses of food additives”. based on the use of food additives in imported foods in recent years, Foodmate has compiled common questions and answers in terms of regulations, carry-over principles, food classification, compound food additives, and food additive labeling. It will be divided into two parts. This article is the first part, we will talk about the regulations, the carry-over principles, and food classification.

I. Provisions For The Use

1. Why does some food additives comply with the regulations of the exporting country, but not in China?

This is because the formulation and revision of Chinese food additive use standards will not only refer to the regulations of international organizations and some developed countries, but also combine the actual situation of Chinese food industry and some data from the nutrition survey of Chinese residents. Therefore, the use of food additives in Chinese is basically consistent with international principles, but the specific regulations are different. For example, the limit of potassium sorbate (preservative) used in jelly in China is 0.5 g/kg, while in the EU is 1 g/kg.

Therefore, if the additives used in imported food meet the requirements of the exporting country, it does not mean that they meet the requirements of China. Before importing food, it is necessary to confirm whether it complies with Chinese GB 2760 and other relevant standards and regulations.

2. If the food additives used in imported foods are not included in the list of food additives allowed in China, or the scope or amount of imported food additives does not meet Chinese food safety standards, how to continue the trade?

China implements a new type approval system for food additives. For food additives used in imported foods that are not within the permitted scope of China, new varieties of food additives can be applied for, and they can be used after risk assessment and formal announcement approval.

II. Carry-Over Principles

1. How to use food additives in beverage concentrate (Thick pulp) products that are not included in the GB 2760 food classification system; can food additives be used in accordance with the corresponding diluted final beverages?

In view of the fact that "beverage concentrate (thick pulp)" is an intermediate product used to produce beverages, the purpose of using food additives is to meet the needs of beverage production and processing. According to the provisions of 3.4.2 of this standard, the food additives approved for use in beverages of this standard can be used, and the amount should be able to ensure that the food additives in the beverages meet the requirements of this standard.

2. Vitamin E is allowed to be used in gum base, but it is not approved for use in gum base candies. Can vitamin E be brought into gum base candies through gum base?

The introduction of vitamin E into candies through gum base belongs to the carry-over principles, which means that the carry-over principles is applicable to general food additives as well as food flavors, basic substances in gumbase candies, and processing aids for the food industry. At the same time, it needs to meet four conditions required in 3.4.1 of GB 2760.

3. Can the carry-over principles be used to compound food additives?

The carry-over principles is applicable to compoundfood additives, but it is necessary to ensure that each of them meets the relevant requirements.

III. Food Classification

1. How to determine the classification of a food in the GB 2760 food classification system? Some foods cannot be classified in GB 2760. How can such food companies use food additives in compliance?

The food classification system specified in GB 2760 is used to define the scope of use of food additives, and is a food category classified based on the characteristics of the use of food additives. The food classification system is mainly based on food raw materials, combines with processing technology for classification, and includes the largest possible complete food category. Food or food raw materials, which cannot be classified, can be temporarily classified into other categories in GB 2760, and food additives can be used in accordance with the provisions of GB 2760.

2. Should the use of food additives in imported health food comply with the provisions of GB 2760?

The food classification system of this standard does not separately stipulate the category of health food. However, the "National Food Safety Standard Health Food" (GB 16740-2014) stipulates that the use of food additives in health foods should meet the requirements of GB 2760, and the use of nutrition fortifiers should meet the requirements of GB 14880 and/or relevant regulations. For example, the use of food additives and nutritional fortifiers in alcoholic beverage health foods can be implemented with reference to alcoholic beverage regulations.

The above are the issues about provisions for the use,carry-over principles and food classification of food additives. Tomorrow, Foodmate will introduce you some issues about compound food additives and food additive labelling.

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Please note: Original English article of Business Division of Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance of Global Foodmate, please indicate the source from the Global Foodmate if reprint.

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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