China's food labeling landscape has undergone its most significant overhaul in over a decade. In March 2025, the National Health Commission (NHC) and the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) jointly released the revised GB 7718-2025 General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods, along with GB 28050-2025 for nutrition labeling and the Food Labeling Supervision and Administration Measures. These landmark regulations will take effect on March 16, 2027, with a two‑year transition period[reference:0][reference:1]. For food importers and foreign manufacturers, the most notable change is the addition of a dedicated chapter for imported prepackaged foods – consolidating and clarifying long‑standing labeling requirements[reference:2]. This guide breaks down the essential changes, provides practical compliance strategies, and helps you navigate the 2027 deadline with confidence.
1. Independent Chapter for Imported Foods – A Major Shift for Importers
For the first time, GB 7718-2025 sets out an independent chapter (Chapter 8) specifically governing imported prepackaged food labels, based on customs supervision requirements[reference:3][reference:4]. This chapter standardizes the basic labeling requirements for imported foods, the “correspondence relationship” between Chinese and foreign languages or traditional Chinese characters, and other label content rules.
Key requirements for importers include:
- Mandatory Chinese label: Imported prepackaged foods must bear a printed or affixed Chinese label. All visible labeling content (including foreign or traditional Chinese characters, Chinese label content, and explanatory materials) must comply with Chinese laws, regulations, and food safety standards[reference:5].
- One‑to‑one correspondence of mandatory content: For mandatory labeling content (e.g., ingredients list, net content, nutritional information), the Chinese language version must have a one‑to‑one correspondence with the foreign language content[reference:6]. Other visible foreign content (excluding trademarks, producer addresses, and website addresses) must have a corresponding explanation in Chinese characters.
- Non‑mandatory content treatment: For non‑mandatory foreign content that cannot be fully translated, importers may use a white label to cover it or provide a concise Chinese summary description (e.g., “This product's foreign label includes brand information and trademark‑related content”)[reference:7].
- Expanded mandatory labeling content: Compared to the previous version, new mandatory items have been added: 1) production date and shelf‑life expiry date, 2) allergen information, and 3) the overseas producer's registration number in China or the registration number approved by the competent authority of the country (region) of origin[reference:8].
How to prepare: Importers should begin a comprehensive label audit now – verify that all mandatory content is present and accurately translated; confirm that foreign ingredients list content has been fully and correctly transferred to the Chinese ingredients list; and ensure the overseas producer's registration information is correct and matches customs records. Establish a “triple‑check” review mechanism internally to ensure no mandatory content is omitted.
2. “Dual Dates”: Production Date + Shelf‑Life Expiry Date
To make label information clearer for consumers and eliminate the need for manual date calculations, the new standard mandates a “dual date” system. Food producers must now label both the production date and the shelf‑life expiry date (no longer just “shelf life” in days or months)[reference:10].
- Date format must be year, month, day in strict order: For example, “2025‑12‑01” or “2025年12月01日” – must be presented clearly, using printing, embossing, or other permanent techniques. Adding, patching, or altering date labels is prohibited[reference:11].
- “Expiry date” replaces “shelf life”: To help consumers directly see the expiration date, the standard replaces the previous “shelf life” (consumers had to add a period to the production date) with a direct shelf‑life expiry date[reference:12].
- Long‑shelf‑life products may omit production date: For products with a shelf life of six months or longer, only the shelf‑life expiry date needs to be labeled – the production date may be omitted (provided the expiry date is clearly marked). This simplifies labeling and reduces packaging space usage[reference:13].
- Voluntary “consumption date”: Food producers may voluntarily label a “consumption date” as the final recommended consumption date after the expiry date, provided food safety is still assured, to help reduce food waste[reference:14].
How to prepare: Importers should work with their overseas suppliers to ensure the production date and shelf‑life expiry date marked on the product match the Chinese label and comply with the year‑month‑day sequence requirement. For bulk‑packed foods, ensure the Chinese label uses the correct date format.
3. Eight Major Allergens – Now Mandatory and Prominently Marked
To better protect consumers with food allergies, the new standard requires the mandatory prominent labeling of eight major allergens. When any of the following eight categories of allergenic substances or their products are used as ingredients, they must be indicated in the ingredients list (e.g., in bold, underlined, highlighted, or boxed) or prominently prompted near the ingredients list[reference:15][reference:16]. The eight mandatory allergen categories are:
- Cereals containing gluten and their products (e.g., wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelled, kamut, or their hybrid strains)
- Crustaceans and their products (e.g., shrimp, crab, lobster, crayfish)
- Fish and their products
- Eggs and their products
- Peanuts and their products
- Soybeans and their products
- Milk and dairy products (including lactose)
- Nuts and their kernel products (e.g., almonds, walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, Brazil nuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts)
How to prepare: Importers must request detailed ingredient information and allergen declarations from overseas suppliers. Ensure that if the eight major allergens appear in the product ingredients, they are prominent on the Chinese label – using bold, underlining, or an independent allergen prompt statement.
4. Nutrition Labeling Upgraded – From Five to Seven Core Nutrients
GB 28050-2025 brings a major revision to nutrition labeling. The nutritional information panel expands from the original “1+4” (energy, protein, fat, carbohydrates, sodium) to “1+6” (energy, protein, fat, saturated fat (acid), carbohydrates, sugars, sodium)[reference:17][reference:18].
Key changes include:
- New mandatory labeling of saturated fat and sugars: This is a major change, requiring many products that previously only listed total fat and total carbohydrates to now calculate and label saturated fat and sugar content separately[reference:19].
- Mandatory child health prompt statement: All prepackaged foods must prominently display the following statement: “Children and adolescents should avoid excessive intake of salt, oil, and sugar.” This statement must be clearly displayed below the nutritional information panel[reference:20][reference:21].
- Re‑definition of sugars: “Sugars” are defined as fructose, glucose, sucrose, maltose, and lactose (galactose is excluded). This may cause differences in test result values compared to previous methods – importers should understand how their products calculate sugar content[reference:22].
- Nutritional claim thresholds aligned with international standards: For example, “low sugar” ≤5g/100g (or 100mL); “sugar‑free” ≤0.5g/100g (or 100mL) – aligned with EU standards[reference:23].
How to prepare: Importers should have products laboratory tested for saturated fat and sugar content to ensure label values are accurate. Work with the overseas manufacturer to understand the product’s salt, oil, and sugar content levels to accurately reflect them on the label.
5. “No Added” Claims – Banned Starting in 2027
The new standard bans misleading claims such as “zero added,” “no added,” and “no artificial flavors”. Once GB 7718-2025 takes effect, prepackaged foods are prohibited from using these claims to emphasize the non‑addition of certain ingredients[reference:24][reference:25]. The rationale: such claims may mislead consumers, causing them to believe the product is healthier or more natural, while ignoring the product’s true nutritional makeup[reference:26].
How to prepare: Importers should immediately review existing product labels and packaging and begin removing any “zero added,” “no added,” or similar language. If the product is currently labeled with such claims, a new version of the label must be designed and switched during the transition period.
6. Digital Label Innovation – QR Codes Expand Content Capacity
The new standard officially introduces the concept of digital labels. Food producers may voluntarily label a digital label via QR code on the packaging, enabling consumers to access more detailed product information by scanning the code with their mobile devices[reference:27].
- Digital label usage rules: If a digital label is used, it must comply with the standard's regulations, and the food packaging must prominently indicate the digital label’s presence with wording such as “Digital Label” near the QR code[reference:28].
- Core information still requires physical label: Even if a digital label is used, core food information (production date, shelf‑life expiry date, allergen information, ingredients, nutritional content) must still be presented on the physical package – digital labels can only supplement, not replace, mandatory physical label content[reference:29].
- Digital label content requirements: The content shown on digital labels must be clear, easy to read, and free from distractions such as pop‑ups or floating windows that could interfere with normal reading. It is encouraged to integrate digital label QR codes with other QR codes on the package to achieve multi‑code integration[reference:30].
How to prepare: Importers wishing to take advantage of digital labeling may consider integrating a QR code that links to a multi‑lingual product introduction page into product packaging, but must ensure that the physical label complies with all mandatory labeling requirements.
7. Expanded Definition of Prepackaged Foods – Including Sales by Weight
The new standard expands the definition of prepackaged foods to include foods pre‑packaged or placed in packaging materials or containers sold by weight (e.g., bulk snacks sold by the kilogram in self‑service bins or bulk tea sold by the liang). Previously, such foods were not strictly covered by GB 7718, leading to labeling gaps. Now, these foods must also meet the labeling requirements of the new standard[reference:31][reference:32].
How to prepare: If your product is sold by weight rather than by fixed quantity, ensure that labels marked on bulk packaging or retail displays include the mandatory content as required by the new standard – particularly ingredients, allergen information, origin, and shelf‑life expiry date – or that the information is accessible via digital label.
8. Ingredients List Transparency – Origin and Volume Questions Clarified
The new standard places stricter requirements on ingredients list authenticity and transparency:
- Stronger correspondence between Chinese and foreign ingredients lists: The content of the foreign ingredients list must be fully reflected in the Chinese ingredients list – no selective translation or omission is permitted. Ingredients that must be labeled according to Chinese laws, regulations, and standards but are not listed in the foreign ingredients list must be added to the Chinese ingredients list[reference:33].
- Clarified labeling rules for water and processing aids: Water used during processing must be included in the ingredients list (unless it has evaporated). For reconstituted juice products imported from the EU, even if water is not on the EU label, it must be added to the Chinese ingredients list[reference:34].
- Origin labeling: If the country of filling or repacking differs from the country of origin, both must be labeled. For example, a product with raw materials produced in Country A and filled in Country B must be labeled “Country of origin: Country A, Filling country: Country B”[reference:35].
How to prepare: Importers should review each imported product’s foreign ingredients list to ensure the Chinese translation is accurate and complete. If the product involves cross‑country filling, ensure the label reflects the true country of origin and filling location.
9. Transition Period Strategy – Two Years to Prepare, Start Now
GB 7718-2025 and GB 28050-2025 come with a two‑year transition period and will officially take effect on March 16, 2027[reference:36]. The transition period arrangement is designed to give businesses sufficient time to adjust. Key points:
- New and old standards both valid during the transition period: Under China’s national standard management regulations, during the transition period between publication and implementation, enterprises may choose to follow either the old or new standard. That means importers can start using the new standard immediately if their product labels are ready[reference:37].
- Old packaging materials can be used until the implementation date: Products produced before the March 16, 2027 implementation date may continue to be sold with their original labeling within their shelf life, unaffected by the new standard’s implementation[reference:38].
- Implementation date is the red line: Once the new standard takes effect, the old standard is simultaneously abolished. From that date forward, all newly produced products must fully comply with the new standard; no production using old labeling will be permitted[reference:39].
Practical advice for importers:
- Inventory existing standard packaging materials now – calculate quantities and expected usage cycles.
- Determine the final batch date for old packaging materials based on production schedules and product shelf lives.
- Design new packaging materials that comply with the new standard early and begin roll‑out, avoiding a bottleneck close to the implementation date.
- Arrange laboratory testing for product nutritional components (especially saturated fat, sugar) and update nutritional information panels accordingly.
- Coordinate with overseas suppliers to ensure future production complies with the new standard’s labeling requirements.
- Ensure that any new packaging printed with the new standard number (GB 7718-2025) matches the unified standard number – mixing new and old standard numbers is not permitted[reference:40].
10. Post‑Implementation and Consumer Impact
After the new standard takes effect, the most direct benefit for consumers will be clearer and more transparent labeling information. The direct labeling of the shelf‑life expiry date will eliminate the need for manual date calculations; the mandatory prominent labeling of eight major allergens will reduce the risk of allergic reactions; the upgrade to seven core nutrition labels and the child health prompt statement will help consumers make healthier choices[reference:41]. For importers, although label updates require initial investment, unified standards and clearer labeling requirements will help reduce compliance disputes and potential liability risks in the long run.
Practical Compliance Checklist for Food Importers
To smoothly meet the new standard requirements before the March 16, 2027 deadline, use this checklist for a comprehensive self‑audit:
- [ ] Confirm that Chinese label meets all mandatory labeling content requirements (including the new items: shelf‑life expiry date, allergen warning, overseas producer’s China registration number).
- [ ] Verify that the Chinese label contains a one‑to‑one translation of mandatory foreign labeling content and that no information is omitted.
- [ ] If the product uses “zero added,” “no added,” or similar claims, begin designing new packaging to remove these misleading phrases.
- [ ] Arrange for laboratory testing of the product’s saturated fat and sugar content to ensure accuracy of nutritional information panel.
- [ ] Confirm that the child health prompt statement is clearly displayed on the packaging.
- [ ] If the product is sold by weight, ensure bulk packaging or display labels include all mandatory content.
- [ ] Work with overseas suppliers to ensure that all product information provided is accurate and up to date.
- [ ] Establish an internal label review mechanism to implement a “triple‑check” process before every label change.
- [ ] Ensure that any new packaging printed with the new standard number matches the unified standard number – mixing new and old standard numbers is not permitted.
Summary: The updated GB 7718-2025 food labeling standard introduces historic changes for importers: a dedicated chapter for imported foods, a “dual date” system (production date + shelf‑life expiry date), mandatory prominent labeling of eight major allergens, a nutrition labeling upgrade to “1+6” (with saturated fat and sugar now mandatory), a ban on “zero added” claims, and voluntary digital labels using QR codes. These changes both increase the compliance burden on importers and provide opportunities to offer more transparent information to consumers. With a two‑year transition period set to end on March 16, 2027, importers have sufficient time to prepare – but it is imperative to begin now. Careful planning for packaging inventory, early laboratory testing, and close coordination with overseas suppliers will ensure a smooth transition without last‑minute surprises. Act early to maintain full market access and consumer trust in the world’s largest food market.