China has established a solid but rather complex regulatory system for food additives. This system might prove difficult to navigate for EU food producers. Many have reached out to the EU SME Centre with detailed questions on the permitted usage and scope of food additives. For this reason, we are publishing guidelines to clarify these issues and to provide practical guidance to European SMEs.
Current Application of Food Additives in China
Specifically, these guidelines cover the principles for the application of food additives in mainland China, as regulated by GB 2760-2024 National Food Safety Standard Standard for Uses of Food Additives and its appendixes.
- Chapter 2 focuses on the definitions and explanations of food additives as well as the types of additives included in the definition. In general, all food additives used in China shall comply with two basic principles. The first is that they are technically necessary and proven to be safe. The second is that they are registered and approved by the Chinese authorities. We provide practical tips and examples on how to read through the lists of permitted and restricted additives, flavouring substances and food processing aids.
- If a certain substance is not included in any of the lists of GB 2760 – or subsequent approval announcements of the National Health Commission (NHC) – then it must first be registered with the NHC to be allowed to be used in foods in China. However, confusion may arise between new food additives and new food raw materials. Chapter 3 illustrates the definitions and use of both so to guide manufacturers through the application procedure.
- Chapter 4 summarises the labelling requirements for food additives to be sold in China, distinguishing between food additives imported into China as final products, and final food products containing food additives.
Frequently Asked Questions
The report’s final chapter provides a list of frequently asked questions that the EU SME Centre has received in the past year from EU SMEs. They are mostly related to the GACC registration requirements for overseas producers and the practical implementation of food additive and ingredient standards, particularly the updated GB 2760-2024. For personalised support, European SMEs are welcome to reach out to the EU SME Centre.
Guidelines on Food Additives in China: Contents
Executive summary
1. Legal framework
2. Definitions, principles and provisions for use
2.1 Food additives usage provisions (GB 2760 Appendix A)
2.2 Flavouring substances (GB 2760 Appendix B)
2.3 Food processing aids (GB 2760 Appendix C)
2.4 Nutritional fortification substances (GB 14880)
2.5 Chewing gum bases (GB 1886.359)
3. New food additives and new raw materials
4. Labelling requirements
5. Q&A and tips
