"Foreign milk powder" needs to show "foreign identity" certification to enter China

"Foreign milk powder" needs to show "foreign identity" certification to enter China BBC News reported that China...

BBC News reported that China will implement new regulations on imported dairy products from May 1, with stricter quarantine and the "foreign status" of imported milk powder must be certified through diplomatic channels. The "Measures for the Inspection, Quarantine, Supervision and Administration of Imported and Exported Dairy Products" formulated and implemented by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China stipulates that imported dairy products, including infant milk powder, will need to undergo stricter quarantine. Foreign awards, honors, certification marks, etc. marked on imported dairy products must provide supporting documents confirmed by diplomatic channels such as Chinese embassies and consulates abroad or foreign embassies and consulates in China.

Xinhuanet reported that industry players were also quoted as saying that the new regulations are unlikely to immediately push up the price of imported milk powder.

The initial response of the Chinese online community to the new regulations was relatively lukewarm. In addition to forwarding the news, they paid more attention to the institutional guarantee of milk powder quality and safety, the integrity and lack of integrity of merchants, the credibility of official information and the effectiveness of government supervision.

Public Opinion

China Central Television reported on April 29 that 80% of milk powders on the Chinese market that claim to be foreign products are actually "copycat products", with some or all of the raw materials made in China, but with foreign labels and packaging as foreign milk powder.

The report quoted "an industry insider who has been engaged in OEM milk powder sales" and "people familiar with the matter" as saying that there are currently no more than 100 internationally renowned foreign brands, and more than 20 of them have entered China. At present, there are more than 100 foreign brands in the Chinese market, that is, 20% are internationally renowned brands, and the other 80% are milk powder produced by Chinese companies under OEM brands.

Since the 2008 scandal involving the death of at least six infants due to adulteration of infant milk powder with melamine, "problem milk powder" incidents have continued to occur in China, and the market demand for imported milk powder has surged.

More and more consumers are choosing to purchase "original and original" infant milk powder in Hong Kong, Europe, the United States, Australia and other places in large quantities, which has impacted the local market and caused relevant countries and regions to issue purchase restrictions on infant milk powder.

Guangzhou's "Yangcheng Evening News" recently announced the results of a poll. Half of the more than 1,000 parents of infants and young children in Guangzhou who were randomly interviewed said they were willing to "make more trips" to deal with Hong Kong's milk powder purchase restrictions.

A poll by the Guangzhou Social Situation and Public Opinion Research Center also shows that among Guangzhou citizens affected by the "milk restriction order", 84% of people buy overseas brand milk powder (including those who buy overseas brands through entrustment relationships and buy foreign brands of milk powder at home); 61% of people buy entirely overseas and never buy domestic milk powder.

>Copycats

> The demand for distrust of Chinese products has also given rise to "copycat products" known as OEM foreign milk powder, that is, milk powder imported from China and processed in China or milk powder processed from Chinese milk sources in China are labeled with other countries' brand trademarks, and some even claim to be "100% imported."

Xinhuanet reported that in response to public inquiries, relevant government departments stated that there were no clear regulations, systems and responsibilities for foreign labeling of milk powder and foreign identity verification.

The report stated that the quality stability of such products that do not live up to their name is "worrying" and there are problems with "exaggeration or false propaganda."

The China Dairy Products Industry Association issued a report on April 29, saying that test results show that the quality of domestic milk powder in China is better than that of imported milk powder, and the prices of local brands are also lower than imported brands.

This report attracted a lot of ridicule on Sina Weibo, and some people demanded that "20% of the brands of non-OEM milk powder be announced, so that they can identify and buy from these brands in the future."

>New Regulations

After the new regulations on imported dairy products were introduced, some netizens posted posts saying it was "ridiculous" and questioned how the embassy and consulates certify the quality and "authenticity" of milk powder and milk sources.

Netizens also pointed out that fake advertisements and false labels are deceptive to consumers, and in serious cases may involve violations of the law, which can be dealt with by corresponding laws and regulations. However, in order for the public to accept the view that "domestic products" are better than "imported products" and to restore confidence in "domestic products", it is important to ensure the professional ethics of local Chinese enterprises and the level of government supervision, rather than "exposing shortcomings" to foreign products.

According to the new regulations on imported dairy products, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China evaluates the food safety management system and food safety status of countries or regions exporting dairy products to China. Only products that are qualified and comply with China's national food safety standards can enter the country.

Products imported for the first time, especially infant formula base powder raw materials, must provide test reports on microorganisms, contaminants and mycotoxins when applying for inspection; unqualified dairy products must be reported after destruction to prevent unqualified dairy products from being mixed and re-entered into the market.

Imported dairy merchants must disclose information such as dairy product type, origin, brand, etc. to the public, record the entry inspection and quarantine certificate number, name, production date or batch number, shelf life, etc. of imported dairy products, and keep the records for no less than 2 years.