Q&A Series

Your Toughest Questions on China Scale-Up, Labeling, and Imported Ingredients Answered.

Are critical R&D questions about China market entry, label compliance, or scaling unique recipes causing costly delays and rework for your brand?

Navigating the intricacies of the Chinese food regulatory environment—from GB standards to New Food Ingredient approvals—is often the biggest bottleneck for international brands. Unanswered questions about local compliance or formula adaptation translate directly into rejection at customs, market withdrawal, or fines. Relying on slow, general information simply won't work in this high-speed, high-stakes market.

Our key solution is our Expert-Led China R&D Q&A Series, providing direct, actionable answers from specialists experienced in both global R&D and GB compliance. By leveraging our dual expertise, manufacturers can expect to reduce decision-making time on China-specific R&D issues by up to 35%, significantly accelerating the path to shelf.

Q&A Spotlight: Critical China Market Hurdles

Q1: Email from International Snack Manufacturer*"We are launching a high-fiber gummy in China using a novel European fiber. Does this require pre-market approval, or can it be added to the formula immediately? We cannot risk a border rejection."*

A: This is a crucial distinction under Chinese law. If your fiber is not already listed in China's "List of New Food Raw Materials" (NFIs) or the List of Permitted Food Additives, it likely requires pre-market approval from the National Health Commission (NHC). Proceeding without approval will result in immediate customs rejection. Solution: You must verify the specific fiber against the current national catalogue. If it's novel, the approval process (which we can manage) can take 12–24 months, so planning alternative, approved fibers is essential for a timely launch.

Q2: WeChat Message from Retail Buyer*"Our co-packer uses a standardized global ingredient list. How strict is the requirement in China for translating all compound ingredients (GB 7718) vs. just listing the main components? We are struggling with complex flavorings."*

A: China's GB 7718 (Prepackaged Foods Labeling) is extremely strict on this point. All ingredients, including components of compound ingredients (like flavorings or sauces), must be listed in descending order of weight—unless the compound ingredient itself is standardized and listed on a simplified national standard. Solution: You cannot simply list "Flavoring"; you must list the main components within the flavoring. Non-compliance here is a primary reason for label rework, costing up to $5,000 per SKU in reprinting and delay fines.

The Retailer Benefit: Secure Supply and Trust

For Supermarket Chains operating in China, a supplier with validated compliance ensures secure supply and maximum consumer trust. The ability to navigate these technical roadblocks allows retailers to expand high-growth categories (like functional foods and Western convenience) with 30% greater confidence against regulatory interference, maintaining consistent supply and maximizing premium private label margins.

Stop letting Chinese regulatory complexity create bottlenecks. Get direct, expert answers that drive your market entry forward.