Date of issue: 17 March 2026

Date of effect: 16 March 2027

Reference Number: MAA 2026-04

Related MAA/IAN: MAA2019-04

Attention:

Industries—Industry bodies – Dairy Australia – Infant Nutrition Council

Australian State Regulatory Authorities

Export dairy establishments

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry — Central and Regional offices

AEPI and NEXDOC users

Purpose

To notify exporters of new labelling requirements for dairy and other pre-packaged goods to China.

Summary of key points

• The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry advises that in March 2025, China's National Health Commission (NHC) released the General Principles for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods (GB 7718-2025). This will replace GB 7718-2011 National Food Safety Standard General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Food.
• The new standard (GB 7718-2025) should be interpreted with the Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Food Labelling (link in Chinese) published by China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR).
• As exporters are likely already aware, the new standard and administrative measures will both come into effect on 16 March 2027.
• GB 7718-2025 introduces several important updates including:
• updated allergen labelling requirements
• digital labelling recommendations for food producers electing to use them
• ingredient labelling requirements
• date marking rules
• specific exemptions for prepackaged foods such as wine and alcoholic beverages, vinegar, edible salt, solid sugar and monosodium glutamate.
• Please refer to Section 10 of the standard for specific advice.
• Under Section 4.7 of GB 7718-2025, production and expiry dates of prepackaged food products must be clearly labelled in the standardised format YYYY/MM/DD. Examples of labelling formats are provided in Annex A.2 of the standard.
• Exporters are reminded that in accordance with the standard, date labels should not be separated from the packaging or container, and should not be affixed, reprinted or modified.
• The Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Food Labelling provides additional labelling requirements which are not covered in GB 7718-2025.
• Manufacturers and exporters are encouraged to work closely with their importers to ensure products comply with the new pre-packaged food standard.
• The Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor) will be updated to reflect this market advice. The department encourages users of Micor to subscribe to the Micor update service for a commodity-specific email that lists changes that have been made in the preceding week.

Further information

Contact dairyeggsfish@aff.gov.au if you have any queries.

A translation of General Principles for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods (GB 7718-2025) by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is also available.

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Disclaimer

The information provided in this advice is current at the time of writing and is intended for use as guidance only and should not be taken as definitive or exhaustive. The Commonwealth endeavours to keep information current and accurate, however, it may be subject to change without notice. Exporters are encouraged to verify these details with their importers prior to undertaking production/exports. The Commonwealth will not accept liability for any loss resulting from reliance on information contained in this notice.