In an
effort to bring internal feed manufacturing practices closer to international
standards, China has just revised Feed Labeling norm (GB 10648-2013), effective July 1,
2014.
The Feed
Labeling norm
and The Hygienic Standard for Feed norm are two national mandatory standards
that regulate the feed industry. The ultimate goal, of course, is to improve
product quality and safety.
The
revised Feed Labeling norm requires the following six steps:
1. Definition terms such as ‘feed’, ‘feed
ingredients’, and ‘feed additives’ are added, whereas claims such as “prevention
and treatment of diseases”
are no longer allowed on nutritional products
bearing feed labels.
2. All nutritional products should adopt common nomenclature
requiring the use of common names.
3. All recommended dosages and any precaution notices should be included
in labels for premixes containing vitamins, minerals, and any additive.
4. Products containing animal-derived ingredients,
GMO ingredients, or being specifically commissioned or designed products, or being made from imported
ingredients should mention so on their labels.
5. The production date on the Chinese label of any imported product should be
the same as that on the label of the original product.
6. All labels should be clearly seen in their entirety,
without the need to open the package.
Seen from outside, it appears all six
steps are reasonable requirements that will allow the Chinese feed industry to
comply with international practices. They also enhance its image and level the
field of play for imported and domestic products.
