The Chinese food marketplace for the youngest enters a fresh era of uncompromising surveillance. The State marketplace Regulation Administration (SAMR) launched a national “Protection of Growth” run at the end of May 2026 which radically changes the approach to enforcement of safety standards. For manufacturers, both home and foreign, this means moving from periodic checks to continuous, analysis-based monitoring of the full supply chain of a peculiar product. This is simply a clear signal that the Beijing authorities do not intend to tolerate the slightest shortcomings in the sector, which inactive bears the mark of painful experiences from the past.
The fresh strategy departs from the conventional model in which supervisory authorities focused mainly on the verification of licences and random examination of final products. presently companies are required to proactively manage risks and to prove that their interior control systems operate continuously and reliably. This approach fits into the wider Beijing priorities on sealing economical regulation and consumer protection, placing the bar highly high, peculiarly for global brands.
New standards and prohibited ingredients
One of the central elements of the run is the rigorous enforcement of updated national standards, known as
- GB 10769-2025 and
- GB 10770-2025,
concerning cereal and canned baby supplements, respectively. They introduce a categorical ban on the usage of certain substances which may have previously appeared in recipes. The list of prohibited ingredients includes:
- honey,
- components undergoing ionising radiation, and
- cured fats and oils.
In addition, the limits on sucrose, glucose and related sugars have been importantly tightened.
For many abroad producers, fresh requirements are a major logistical and technological challenge. Products developed for Western markets may not meet the strict Chinese standards, which requires the creation of dedicated recipes exclusively for the mediate State market. Moreover, the “Protection of Growth” run besides hits aggressive marketing. Regulators have announced ruthless prosecution of companies whose labels or promotional materials straight or indirectly propose that their products improve intelligence, strengthen immunity, defend bowel wellness or prevent disease. These restrictions include not only packaging, but besides descriptions on e-commerce platforms, live broadcasts and content on social media.
Personal work in the supply chain
The approach to corporate work is besides changing significantly. The state administration implements a strategy in which any irregularity must be linked to a circumstantial decision-maker. Companies are obliged to appoint directors and food safety professionals who gotta undergo rigorous training. Companies are expected to keep dynamic hazard control lists, conduct regular self-checks and paper any corrective action.
Special attention was given to the contract production model (OEM), highly popular among global brands operating in China. Under the fresh guidelines, both the contractor and subcontractor are liable for product safety. The authorities stress explicitly that outsourcing cannot service as a mechanics for blurring responsibility. Many contract contracts have been classified as high-risk entities, which automatically qualifies them for more frequent and stricter inspections.
Digital surveillance and lessons from the past
In order to effectively enforce the fresh rules, regulators are reaching for modern technologies. The run assumes extended usage of “Internet + AI” surveillance systems and artificial intelligence to analyse data and identify possible threats. Companies are encouraged to integrate their interior tracking systems with state monitoring platforms to guarantee full transparency of the production process. In addition, it was announced that quarterly tests were introduced for all licensed producers of supplementary foods for infants.
Such uncompromising approach is not accidental. Chinese society inactive remembers traumatic social challenges related to the 2008 scandal erstwhile powdered milk contaminated with melamine resulted in hundreds of thousands of children being poisoned. This event permanently changed the architecture of sanitary supervision in China. The current run is another logical step in the process of restoring public assurance and proves that the safety of the youngest citizens for Beijing remains a non-discriminatory issue without any trade compromises.
Source:
- State Administration for marketplace Regulation (SAMR): authoritative announcement of the run “Protection of Growth” (29.05.2026), https://www.samr.gov.cn/zz/zfxxxgk/fdzdgknr/tsps/art/2026/art_8e8153a598814048839facaedcfc9162.html
- China Briefing: “China’s fresh baby Food Safety run Signals a Shift Toward Continuous Compliance” (02.06.2026 ), https://www.china-briefing.com/news/china-infant-food-compliance-new-campaign/
- DigiComply: “China Updates baby Cereal Food Standard GB 10769–2025” (11.12.2025 ), https://www.digicomply.com/blog/china-updates-infant-cereal-food-standard-gb-10769-2025
- National wellness Commission of the PRC: Guidelines on baby feeding standards, https://www.nhc.gov.cn/
Leszek B. Glass
Email: [email protected]
