What are health foods?

Health foods are food that can claim specific health function or are intended to supplement vitamins or minerals. It is suitable for the specific population to eat, has the function of regulating the body, does not treat the disease as the purpose, and does not produce any acute, sub acute or chronic harm to the human body. It is divided into two categories: registering health food and filing health food.

The regulation of filing health foods in China

The production and import of the following health foods shall be filed according to the regulations:

(1)   The raw materials used have been included in the health food raw materials catalogue;

(2)   Health foods that are imported for the first time are supplemented with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.

For the first time imported health foods supplemented with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, the nutrients should be substances listed in the health food raw materials catalogue.

The requirements for filing health food applicants

(1)   The applicants of the domestic health food shall be health food production enterprises, and the original registrant may act as the applicants.

(2)   The applicants of the imported health food shall be oversea manufacturers of listed health foods.

The regulation of registering health foods in China

(1)   Health foods using raw materials other than the list of raw materials for health foods (hereinafter referred to as raw materials outside the catalogue);

(2)   Health foods imported for the first time (except for the health foods supplemented with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients).

The first imported health food refers to health foods that are not listed in the same country, the same enterprise, and the same formula for sale in China.

The requirements of registering applicants:

(1)   The applicants for the domestic health food shall be a legal person or other organization registered in China.

(2)   The applicants for the imported health foods shall be oversea manufacturers of listed health foods. The application for imported health food shall be handled by its resident representative office in China or by an agency in China. An overseas manufacturer refers to a legal person or other organization whose products meet the listing requirements of the country (region) in which it is located.

What the requirements of labels and instructions for health food?

The labels and instructions of health food should not be related to diseases prevention and treatment function, the contents should be true, and consistent with the contents of registration or filing, indicating the appropriate people, unsuitable people, functional ingredients or symbolic ingredients and contents, and it must be declared that "This product cannot instead of drug". The function and ingredients of health food should consistent with the labels and instructions.