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National food safety standard - General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods
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GB 7718-2025: PDF in English GB 7718-2025
GB
NATIONAL STANDARD OF THE
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
National food safety standard -- General Standard for the
Labeling of Prepackaged Foods
ISSUED ON. MARCH 16, 2025
IMPLEMENTED ON. MARCH 16, 2027
Issued by. National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China;
State Administration for Market Regulation.
Table of Contents
Foreword... 3
1 Scope... 4
2 Terms and definitions... 4
3 Basic requirements... 5
4 Labelling content of pre-packaged food provided directly to consumers... 5
5 Label information for pre-packaged foods not directly provided to consumers... 11
6 Special foods... 11
7 Food claims... 11
8 Imported foods... 11
9 Requirements for digital labels... 13
10 Exemption from labeling... 14
Annex A (informative) Labeling format of some label items in pre-packaged food labels
... 15
Annex B Labeling format of food additives in the ingredient list... 19
Annex C Calculation method of the maximum surface area of packaging or packaging
container... 21
Annex D Labeling format of allergens in food labels... 22
National food safety standard -- General Standard for the
Labeling of Prepackaged Foods
1 Scope
This Standard applies to the labels of pre-packaged foods provided directly to
consumers and the labels of pre-packaged foods not provided directly to consumers.
This Standard does not apply to food storage and transportation packaging labels that
provide protection for food during storage and transportation, or the labels of bulk food
and ready-to-eat food.
2 Terms and definitions
2.1 Pre-packaged foods
Foods pre-packaged or made in packaging materials or containers. This includes foods
that are pre-packaged or made in packaging materials or containers in a certain quantity
and have a uniform mass, volume or length mark within a certain quantity limit. It also
includes foods that are pre-packaged or made in packaging materials or containers and
sold in a measured manner.
2.2 Food labels
The text, graphics, symbols and all other explanatory materials on food packaging.
2.3 Digital labels
Food labels displayed on food packaging using information technology such as QR
codes.
2.4 Ingredients
Any substance used in the manufacture or processing of food and present in food
(including in a modified form), including food additives (including food nutrient
fortifiers).
2.5 Production date (manufacturing date)
The date when the food becomes the final product, including the packaging or filling
date.
information of the producer and/or operator, production date and shelf life expiration
date, storage conditions, food production license number, product standard code,
allergen warning and other information required to be indicated by laws, regulations
and national food safety standards, except for the information exempted from food
product labeling in laws, regulations and national food safety standards.
4.2 Food name
4.2.1 The name reflecting the true attributes of the food shall be marked in a prominent
position on the food label. Attribute name refers to a special name that can reflect the
inherent characteristics of the food itself that does not need to be explained or has been
explained, including descriptions of one or more food-specific characteristics such as
food or ingredient characteristics, process characteristics, food category, etc.
4.2.1.1 When one or more names of a food have been specified or adopted in national
standards, industry standards, local standards, regulations issued by relevant
departments of the State Council and announcements related to food naming, one of the
names or a name that is essentially the same as the above names shall be selected as the
attribute name.
4.2.1.2 When there is no name specified or used in national standards, industry
standards, local standards, regulations issued by relevant departments of the State
Council, or announcements related to food naming, a name that can fully explain the
true attributes of the food and is not likely to mislead or confuse consumers shall be
used as the attribute name.
4.2.2 On the same display page as the food attribute name, the food’s "new name",
"unique name", "transliterated name", "regional slang name" or "trademark name" etc.
can be displayed at the same time. When the above names contain words or phrases that
may easily mislead or confuse consumers about the food attribute, they shall be
displayed in an adjacent position on the same display page with a font height no greater
than the attribute name and in the same font and color as the attribute name.
4.3 Ingredients
4.3.1 The label of prepackaged food (including single-ingredient food) shall indicate
the ingredient list. The ingredient list shall indicate the guide words. The various
ingredients in the ingredient list shall be named in accordance with the requirements of
4.2.Food additives shall be named in accordance with the requirements of 4.3.4.The
ingredients listed in A.4 of Annex A may be indicated by their specific names or by the
classification method in Table A.1, unless otherwise specified by national standards,
industry standards or local standards.
4.3.2 Various ingredients shall be listed in descending order according to the amount
(by mass) added during the manufacture or processing of food. Ingredients added in an
amount not exceeding 2% may not be listed in descending order. Ingredients that have
been volatilized or removed during processing may not be indicated in the ingredient
list.
4.3.3 If an ingredient directly added to food is a composite ingredient made of two or
more other ingredients or raw materials (excluding composite food additives), the name
of the composite ingredient shall be indicated in the ingredient list. The original
ingredients of the composite ingredient shall then be indicated in brackets according to
the requirements of 4.3.2.If there are national, industry or local standards for composite
ingredients and the amount added is less than 25% of the total amount of food, the
original ingredients may not be indicated. The composite ingredients added to the
composite ingredients may not be indicated in their original form.
4.3.4 Food additives shall be labeled with their common names in GB 2760, GB 14880
or the announcements of the health administrative departments of the State Council and
the national food safety standards. The name of a food additive does not include its
preparation method. If there are other provisions in the national food safety standards
or announcements issued by the administrative departments of the State Council, they
shall prevail. Food additives that can be used as food additives or food nutrition
fortifiers and other ingredients shall be labeled according to their role in the final
product.
4.3.4.1 Compound food additives shall be labeled with all food additives that play a
role in the final product. Processing aids and enzyme preparations that have lost their
activity may not be labeled. Food additives contained in compound ingredients that
have national standards, industry standards, and local standards and whose addition
amount is less than 25% of the total amount of food may not be labeled if they meet the
carry-in principle stipulated in GB 2760 and can be introduced into food through food
ingredients (including food additives). Excipients of food additives that do not play a
functional role in the final product may not be labeled. If there are other provisions in
national food safety standards, they shall prevail.
4.3.4.2 Food additives may be directly labeled with their common names. They may
also be classified and labeled with their common names and the functional category
names of the food additives at the same time. See Annex B for the labeling format. Only
one format in Annex B shall be selected for labeling on the label of the same
prepackaged food.
4.3.4.3 When labeling the common name and functional category name of a food
additive at the same time, if the maximum surface area of the packaging material or
packaging container is not greater than 60 cm2 (the calculation method of the maximum
surface area is shown in Annex C), the international code (INS number) listed in GB
2760 may be used to replace the common name of the food additive. If a food additive
does not have a corresponding international code in GB 2760, or if it is necessary to
label allergens, its common name shall be labeled.
4.3.5 Edible substances made from food and having certain packaging functions shall
be indicated in the ingredient list, unless otherwise specified in national standards,
industry standards, local standards or other laws and regulations.
4.3.6 For bacteria directly added during the production process, if they have not been
inactivated or removed, the specific name of the added bacteria shall be indicated. The
corresponding strain number and strain content may be indicated at the same time. If
the above bacteria play a fermentation role in food, they can also be classified and
labeled as "fermentation bacteria" or "microbial fermentation agent". If the above
bacteria are inactivated or removed by filtering or other methods, they do not need to
be labeled. If they are labeled, the sterilization process of the product shall be clearly
stated near the food attribute name or ingredient list, or "inactivated", "non-viable
bacteria type", "sterilized type", "sterilized type" and other words that can fully indicate
that the bacteria are no longer active. If there are other provisions in laws, regulations,
and national food safety standards, they shall prevail.
4.4 Ingredient emphasis and quantitative labeling
4.4.1 If the food label specifically emphasizes the addition or inclusion of one or more
ingredients or components, the amount of the ingredient or component added or the
content in the finished product shall be indicated in the ingredient list or in additional
text. See A.5 for the labeling format.
4.4.1.1 If the ingredients or components of food are mentioned in the food name, the
amount of the relevant ingredients or components added or the content in the finished
product shall be indicated.
4.4.1.2 The images used on food labels to illustrate taste, flavor, source of ingredients,
method of consumption or purpose, etc., are not considered special emphasis. If only
food flavors and spices are used to blend a certain ingredient or food flavor, only images
other than real photos of the relevant ingredients or food may be used, and the words
"Image is for taste reference only" shall be prominently displayed near the image.
4.4.2 When the food label specifically emphasizes that the content of one or more
ingredients or components is low or absent, the content of the emphasized ingredients
or components in the finished product shall be indicated.
4.4.2.1 When using words such as "none" or "does not contain", the content of the
corresponding ingredients or components shall be "0". If there are other provisions in
other laws, regulations or national standards, industry standards or local standards, they
shall prevail. Food additives, contaminants, and substances that are not allowed to be
added to food or shall not be present in food as stipulated in laws, regulations and
standards, shall not be claimed using words such as "none" or "does not contain" or
their synonyms. See A.5 for synonyms of content claims.
4.4.2.2 The words "no addition", "no use" and their synonyms shall not be used. If there
are other provisions in other laws, regulations or national food safety standards, they
shall prevail. For synonyms related to "no addition", see A.5.
4.5 Net content and specifications
The net content shall be indicated on the same display panel of the packaging or
container as the food name.
4.6 Name, address and contact information of the producer and operator
The name, address and contact information of the producer and operator shall be
marked in accordance with laws, regulations and the requirements of the food safety
supervision and management department of the State Council.
4.7 Date labeling
4.7.1 The production date and expiration date of pre-packaged food shall be clearly
marked in the order of year, month and day. See A.2 for the labeling format. If the date
labeling adopts the form of "see a certain part of the packaging", the specific part of the
packaging shall be marked. For products with a shelf life of 6 months or more, only the
shelf life and expiration date may be marked. The date labeling shall be clear, eye-
catching and easy to identify. It shall not be separated from the packaging or container.
It shall not be affixed, reprinted or modified.
4.7.2 When the maximum surface area of the packaging material or packaging container
is not more than 20 cm2, only the shelf life and the expiry date may be indicated.
4.7.3 To guide consumers to consume food properly after purchasing it and avoid food
waste, the shelf life can be marked according to the characteristics and process of the
food, as the last date of consumption of the food under the storage conditions indicated
on the food label. See A.2 for the labeling format.
4.8 Storage conditions
The storage conditions shall be indicated on the label of prepackaged food. See A.3 for
the labeling format.
4.9 Food production license number
The food production license number shall be marked in accordance with relevant
regulations.
4.10 Product standard code
Prepackaged foods produced and sold domestically shall be labeled with the standard
code and serial number implemented by the product.
4.11 Product quality level
If the food standard has clearly specified the quality grade, the quality grade shall be
indicated; otherwise, the quality grade shall not be indicated.
Chinese and foreign languages of the mandatory labeling content. The content
expressed in other foreign languages or traditional Chinese characters visible on the
label shall correspond to the standardized Chinese characters (except for trademarks,
the producer and address of imported food, the name and address of foreign operators,
and website addresses).
8.1.3 The information on the labels of imported prepackaged foods shall comply with
the requirements of the corresponding clauses in Chapter 4 (except 4.9 and 4.10) and
Chapter 5.
8.1.4 The labels of imported pre-packaged foods not directly provided to consumers
shall comply with the relevant requirements in Chapter 5.
8.2 Ingredients
The contents of the foreign-language ingredient list of imported pre-packaged foods
shall all have corresponding contents in the Chinese ingredient list. Ingredients in foods
that are not indicated in the foreign-language ingredient list but shall be indicated
according to Chinese laws, regulations and standards shall also be indicated in the
Chinese ingredient list.
8.3 Name, address and contact information of the producer and operator
Imported pre-packaged foods shall indicate the name, address and contact information
of the importer/agent, as well as the registration number of the overseas manufacturer
in China or the registration number approved by the competent authorities of the
country or region where the manufacturer is located.
8.4 Country or region of origin
Imported pre-packaged food shall be labeled with the country (region) of origin. For
goods that are completely obtained in one country (region), the country (region) shall
be the country (region) of origin. For goods produced by two or more countries
(regions), the country (region) where the substantial change is finally completed shall
be the country (region) of origin. If the country or region of filling or subpackaging is
inconsistent with the country of origin, the country (region) of filling or subpackaging
shall be labeled at the same time. The source of the raw materials or ingredients or the
name of the country or region of production may also be labeled at the same time.
8.5 Date labeling
If the original packaging of imported pre-packaged food does not indicate the
production date, the production date shall be indicated after calculation based on the
shelf life, best before date and other related information indicated on the original
packaging. For products with a shelf life of 6 months or more, only the shelf life and
shelf life expiration date may be indicated.
8.6 Suitable groups, consumption amount or consumption method
The information on the original labels of imported pre-packaged foods involving
suitable groups of people, serving sizes or methods of consumption, etc. shall have
corresponding Chinese content and shall comply with the requirements of my country's
national food safety standards and announcements issued by relevant departments of
the State Council.
8.7 Others
Imported pre-packaged foods may not be labeled with the food production license
number and product standard code.
9 Requirements for digital labels
9.1 Food producers are encouraged to display food label information through digital
labels while pre-packaged food labels comply with the requirements of this Standard.
9.2 The content displayed on the digital label shall comply with the provisions of laws,
regulations and national food safety standards, and shall be consistent with the food
label information displayed on the food packaging.
9.3 When using digital labels, digital means that comply with national standards shall
be used to provide digital labels. The identity of the digital label shall be clearly
indicated by "digital label" or similar words near the digital label.
9.4 Digital labels shall be provided in an easily accessible form. Compatibility with
multiple identification methods is encouraged. The content of the digital label shall be
directly displayed on the first-level page after reading and shall not contain any
interfering elements that affect normal reading.
9.5 The content of digital labels shall be clear, eye-catching, easy to read, and must not
be tampered with. Food producers can provide digital labels according to the needs of
specific consumer groups, such as providing food information through video, voice
recognition, etc. on the basis of text labels.
9.6 The items that shall be marked on pre-packaged food are marked with digital labels.
The label information marked on the pre-packaged food packaging can be simplified in
accordance with relevant regulations.
9.7 Where there are clear provisions in Chinese laws, regulations, food safety standards
and relevant departments of the State Council, such provisions shall be followed.
addition", "zero adding", "not adding", "not use", "not be used" and terms that are
essentially the same as the above.
A.5.4 Exemptions from quantitative labelling
Ingredients or components mentioned on food labels are exempted from indicating their
added amount or content if they meet one of the following conditions and are not
considered to be specially emphasized. If there are other provisions in national
standards, industry standards, local standards and other laws and regulations, they shall
prevail.
a) Ingredients or components mentioned in allergen warnings or other warning terms
or warning terms;
b) Ingredients or components mentioned only in the method of consumption or
product pairing recommendations;
c) The description of the "origin" of single-ingredient foods that all come from the
same origin;
d) Descriptive terms used only to describe the sensory characteristics of the final
product process and properties, flavor, taste, mouthfeel, etc., or names used only
in statements that describe the purpose of the product;
e) Ingredients or components involved in food names (or names that are essentially
the same) specified in national standards, industry standards, local standards, and
announcements on standard naming issued by relevant departments of the State
Council, or ingredients or components with specified addition amounts or content
in finished products.
A.6 Recommended labeling content
A.6.1 Prepackaged food labels may indicate the batch number of the product as required.
A.6.2 Prepackaged food labels may indicate methods of consumption, such as how to
open the container, how to consume or use the food, how to cook or heat the food, how
to defrost or heat the food, how to store the food after thawing or heating it, how to
rehydrate and reconstitute the food, how long the food will last after opening, how to
store the food after opening, how to pair the food with other foods, and other
instructions that may be helpful to consumers.
Annex B
Labeling format of food additives in the ingredient list
B.1 Overview
This appendix provides examples of the labeling of food additives in the ingredient list.
When labeling the corresponding items, one of the options shall be selected according
to the requirements of 4.3.4.
B.2 All common names of food additives indicated in descending order of added
amount
Ingredients. water, whole milk powder, chocolate (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter,
lecithin, polyglycerol ricinoleate, flavoring, tartrazine), cream, vegetable oil, glucose
syrup, propylene glycol fatty acid esters, carrageenan, guar gum, annatto, maltodextrin,
flavoring.
B.3 All functional categories and common names of food additives indicated in
descending order of added amount
Ingredients. water, whole milk powder, chocolate [cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter,
emulsifier (lecithin, polyglycerol ricinoleate), flavoring, coloring agent (tartrate)],
cream, vegetable oil, glucose syrup, emulsifier (propylene glycol fatty acid ester),
thickener (carrageenan, guar gum), coloring agent (annatto), maltodextrin, flavoring.
B.4 When the maximum surface area of the packaging or packaging container of
pre-packaged food is not more than 60 cm2, the functional category names and
international codes of all food additives may be indicated in descending order of
the amount added
Ingredients. water, whole milk powder, chocolate [cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter,
emulsifier (322, 476), cream, vegetable oil, flavoring, coloring agent (102)], glucose
syrup, emulsifier (477), thickener (407, 412), coloring agent (160b), maltodextrin,
flavoring.
B.5 Establish the format for labeling food additives
B.5.1 General principles
Food additives used directly shall be listed in the food additives section. Food additives
not used directly shall not be listed in the food additives section. Nutritional enhancers,
food flavors and fragrances, and base substances in gum-based candies can be listed
outside the food additives section of the ingredient list.
The labeling position of a food additive item in the ingredient list is determined
Annex D
Labeling format of allergens in food labels
D.1 Overview
This appendix provides examples of labeling for prepackaged food ingredients that
contain allergenic substances and for allergenic substances that may be indirectly
introduced during production.
D.2 When allergenic substances are used as ingredients, they shall be labeled in one of
the following ways.
D.2.1 Use easily recognizable names and labeling methods (bold font or underline can
be used) in the ingredient list to indicate.
Ingredients. Water, whole milk powder, cream, vegetable oil, chocolate (cocoa mass,
sugar, cocoa butter, lecithin, polyglycerol castor oil ester, flavoring, tartrazine), peanuts,
glucose syrup, propylene glycol fatty acid ester, carrageenan, guar gum, annatto,
maltodextrin, flavoring.
Ingredients. wheat flour, white sugar, hazelnut paste (hazelnuts, chocolate).
D.2.2 Specially indicate the prompt information near the ingredient list, using "food
allergen (prompt)", "allergenic (causing allergenic) substance (prompt)" or "allergenic
(causing allergenic) information (prompt)" as the guide words, or no guide words.
Contains eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, and milk ingredients;
Contains peanut butter and soy products;
This product contains fish and soy ingredients;
This product contains fish and soy ingredients, which may cause food allergies.
D.3 Allergenic substances that are indirectly introduced or may be introduced during
the processing shall be indicated near the ingredient list or in other places in the
following ways.
"This product may contain...";
"May contain...";
"May contain trace amounts of...";
"This production equipment also processes food (products) containing...";
......
Source: Above contents are excerpted from the PDF -- translated/reviewed by: www.chinesestandard.net / Wayne Zheng et al.
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