The National Food Safety Standard Maximum Levels of Contaminants in Foods (GB 2762-2022) was implemented on June 30, 2023, and revised the application principles, terms and definitions, annotated words, specific limits, etc.

The largest scope of this revision is the harmful element "lead", which seriously endangers human health, especially infant and young children. This article introduced the change of "lead" limits in infant and young children food and the precautions for importing food.

Change of "lead" limits in infant and young children food

1. Foods for special dietary uses

The limit of "infant and young children formula food" was adjusted from 0.15 mg/kg to 0.08 mg/kg;

The limit of "liquid infant and young children formula food" was adjusted from 0.02 mg/kg to 0.01 mg/kg;

Deleted the secondary classification of "complementary foods for infants and young children", and the uniform limit was 0.2 mg/kg.

2. Fruit products:

The limit in "fruit products" was adjusted from 1.0 mg/kg to 0.2 mg/kg.

Added the limit in "jam (puree)" 0.4 mg/kg;

Added the limit in "preserved fruits" 0.8mg /kg;

Added the limit in "dried fruits" 0.5 mg/kg.

3. Milk and dairy products:

The limit in "milk and dairy products" was adjusted from 0.3 mg/kg to 0.2 mg/kg;

The limit in "raw milk, pasteurized milk, sterilized milk" was adjusted from 0.05 mg/kg to 0.02 mg/kg;

The limit in "modified milk and fermented milk" was adjusted from 0.05 mg/kg to 0.04 mg/kg.

"Milk powder, non-demineralized whey protein powder" is no longer listed separately, and the limit was adjusted from 0.5 mg/kg to 0.2 mg/kg.

4. Beverages:

The unit of beverages is "mg/kg".

The limit in "fruit/vegetable juice and fruit/vegetable juice beverage (except for concentrated fruit/vegetable juice (puree))" was adjusted from 0.05 mg/L to 0.03 mg/kg;

The limit in "grape juice" was adjusted from 0.05 mg/L to 0.04 mg/kg.

5. Others (jelly)

The limit in "jelly" was adjusted from 0.5 mg/kg to 0.4 mg/kg.

Precautions for importing food

According to the Measures of the People's Republic of China for the Administration of Import and Export Food Safety, overseas exporters or agents that export food to China (referred to as "overseas exporters or agents") and food importers need to focus on the following requirements.

1. Article 19 An overseas exporter or agent that exports food to China (hereinafter referred to as the “overseas exporter or agent”) shall make a filing with the General Administration of Customs.

A food importer shall make a filing with the Customs Administration in the place of his or her domicile.

An overseas exporter or agent, or food importer shall be responsible for the truthfulness and validity of the materials provided when making a filing.

A list of overseas exporters or agents and food importers that have made a filing shall be published by the General Administration of Customs.

2. Article 21 A food importer shall establish a food import and sales record system, truthfully record the name, net content/specification, quantity, production date, production or import lot number, shelf life, the name, address, and contact information of the overseas exporter or purchaser, delivery date, and other information on food, and keep relevant documents. The records and documents shall be kept for not less than six months after the expiration of shelf life of food, or for not less than two years after sale in the absence of such shelf life.

3. Article 22 A food importer shall establish an overseas exporters and overseas production enterprises audit system with a focus on examining the following:

(I) Formulation and implementations of food safety risk control measures;

(II) Ensure that the food complies with the laws, regulations, and national food safety standards of China;

4. Article 25 A food importer or his or her agent shall, in accordance with the law, truthfully make a declaration to the Customs Administration when importing food.

5. Article 30 The packagings, labels, and marks of import food shall comply with the laws, regulations, national food safety standards of China, and shall be accompanied by an instruction manual in Chinese if the law so requires.

6. Article 37 Upon discovering that the import food fails to comply with laws, administrative regulations and national food safety standards, or there are evidences proving that the import food poses potential hazards to human health, food importers should, based on Article 63 and the third paragraph of Article 94 of the Food Safety Law, immediately suspend the import, sales and use, implement a recall, give a notice to relevant food producers, operators and consumers, record the processes of recall and notice, and file a report to the local Customs Administration about such recall, notice and response.

TIPS:

For Article 22, food importers have the obligation to require overseas manufacturers to comply with the basic principles of GB 2762-2022:

First, food manufacturers should organize production in strict accordance with laws, regulations and standards, and meet the requirements of maximum levels of contaminants in foods.

Secondly, for other food contaminants not covered by the standard, or for which no limit value or control level has been established, food manufacturers should take control measures to achieve the lowest possible level of contaminants in foods.

Thirdly, focus on the control of food raw material contaminants, and reduce and control contaminants in foods from the source of food.

Fourthly, strictly manage food safety in the production process, and encourage the use of stricter control requirements than GB 2762 to reduce the content of contaminants in foods.

Source: Shenzhen Customs 12360

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