Food Contact and Food Additive Regulations in China: 2025 Updates
Regulations governing food additives and food contact materials and articles are evolving rapidly in China. Key updates in 2025 include:
In March 2025, Amendment No. 1 to GB 9685-2016 Standard for Uses of Additives in Food Contact Materials and Articles was implemented (SGS 2025). Key updates include:
· Addition of specific migration limits (SMLs) for new compounds
· Revisions to SMLs for certain compounds
· Updated Chinese names for certain additives
In July 2025, further revisions to GB 9685-2016 were proposed (ChemRadar 2025), including:
· Updated definitions, scope, permitted substances, maximum usage levels, SMLs, and restrictions
· Removal of 13 high-risk food additives
· Closer integration with other food safety regulations
· Updated overall migration limits
· Stricter specifications for colorants
Also in July 2025, the 2025 National Food Safety Standard Legislative Plan was released (ChemLinked 2025). The Plan identifies 44 priority GB food standards for development or revision, addressing:
· Label claims
· Food additive and food product standards
· Analytical methods for physical and chemical, contaminant, and microbial safety testing
Starting in September 2025, new food contact standards will be used to assess the presence and/or migration of substances from food contact materials (SGS 2025), including:
· GB 31604.30-2025: phthalate esters
· GB 31604.31-2025: vinyl chloride; 1,1-dichloroethylene; and 1,1-dichloroethane
· GB 31604.61-2025: 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol
· GB 31604.62-2025: N-nitrosamines
· GB 31604.63-2025: 4,4’-biphenyl glycol and 1,1’-sulphonyl bis(4-chlorobenzene)
Vireo Advisors is actively monitoring regulatory developments in China and globally. We help manufacturers navigate and comply with food contact and food additive regulations, as well as support commercialization and market entry globally.