Helping you export foods to China
Sino Food Regulations is an association of individuals with unparalelled experience in the technical requirements for importing foods into China. In the UK it is headed by Peter Leedham, whose experience includes:
- 3 years in food regulatory affairs for the China and other SE Asian markets
- 17 years working in food production, safety and regulations in China and Hong Kong
- Prior to the above, 24 years in food manufacture and quality in UK/EU, USA and Canada
We have associates in many areas of China and SE Asia who can provide hands-on experience of the food market and regulations there.
Why export? Why now?
Currently, the UK domestic food market is facing difficulties in some ares of production and retailing. This is also true of exports.
It is probable (and there is evidence of this) that any global recovery in food consumption will follow the geographic trend of sales decreasing because of Covid 19.
Eastern countries will recover first from the pandemic and, therefore, so will their food consumption. The UK now has an unparalleled opportunity to gain a major share of these markets as a ‘sole trader’.
Why China?
Over the past 20 or so years better education, higher incomes and more freedom to travel have introduced many Chinese people to ideas (including edible ones) from other countries; as a result imports of western foods were increasing rapidly.
Since Covid 19, imports have slumped. The market, however, is still there and recovering fast. Added to this is the concentration of wealthier consumers (those who are more accustomed to western foods) live in areas of China which can be easily accessed via a small number of ports and airports.
What we can offer
Whilst regulations governing Chinese foods appear to be both simple and close to those of the UK they are, in fact, very different. These differences may not be immediately apparent, but can result in a product being refused entry to China, or the import being held while the matters are resolved, or even blacklisted for the future. Normally, if a batch of product is rejected, the same batch cannot be re-submitted.
The most common pitfalls are:
China does not use either the E-number or Codex systems for additives; some additives have different functions; some are not allowed.
Some additives commonly used in the west are regarded as having health properties and must be registered under the Chinese pharmaceutical regulations – a process which is slow, expensive and difficult for foreign companies.
