Food Supplement Registration in China

Food items that provide vitamins and/or minerals or have particular health benefits are typically referred to as “healthy food” in China. Health food is intended to regulate bodily functions and is appropriate for particular populations. Nevertheless, it does not have any acute, subacute, or long-term negative effects on a person’s health and is not utilized to treat illness.

As per the People’s Republic of China’s Food Safety Law (2015 edition), businesses that intend to sell health food in China must apply for and be granted a filing or registration certificate for health food. The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR, formerly CFDA) is the organization with which domestic health foods produced in China must register, while the Provincial Administration for Market Regulation is where the filing has to be made. Imported health foods made in foreign manufacturers must apply for both registration and filing with SAMR. 

In the interim, foreign businesses must designate a Chinese agent or maintain a permanent Chinese representative office to handle registration, filing, and the acquisition of these certifications.

The factory holding the production certificate is the one who must file an application for home health food. Stated differently, the domestic applicant is not able to entrust production.

An overseas manufacturer, which includes both legal entities and other organizations, may be the filing application for imported health food. Stated differently, the applicant from abroad may entrust production.