Packaging food for sale makes it prepackaged food: labels must include production date, shelf life, and ingredient list without exception

9. Packaging food for sale makes it prepackaged food: labels must include production date, shelf life, and ingredient list without exception

Cost: Printing labels costs only a few cents to a few dimes each. However, filling in the correct date and ingredient details for every batch takes some time.

In plain terms: Legally, any food that is placed into packaging before being sold counts as prepackaged food. Such packaging must carry a label with nine mandatory items, including both the production date and shelf life. For unpackaged, bulk food, the label must still list the food’s name, production date, and the seller’s name and address. If any required label information is missing, a fine of 5,000 to 50,000 RMB applies if the total value of the goods is under 10,000 RMB; if the value exceeds 10,000 RMB, the fine rises to 5 to 10 times that amount.

Benefit: According to food safety laws, prepackaged food must have a label that includes the following details: product name, specifications, net weight, production date, ingredient list, producer’s name, address, and contact information, shelf life, product standard code, storage conditions, common names of food additives as defined by national standards, and production license number. Any additional information required by laws or food safety standards must also be listed. Bulk food, which is sold without packaging based on individual weight, also needs a label on its container or outer packaging that lists the food’s name, production date or batch number, shelf life, and the producer’s name, address, and contact details. Any prepackaged food sold without a proper label, or with a label/instruction sheet that does not meet legal requirements, will have both the earnings and the goods confiscated. If the total value of such goods is under 10,000 RMB, a fine of 5,000 to 50,000 RMB applies; if the value exceeds 10,000 RMB, the fine is 5 to 10 times that amount. In severe cases, the business may be ordered to cease operations until its production license is revoked. Minor label flaws that do not affect food safety or mislead consumers only require correction; failure to do so results in a fine of up to 2,000 RMB. The latest version of the General Rules for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods is GB 7718-2025, which was released on March 16, 2025, and will take effect on March 16, 2027, allowing a two-year transition period. This standard mandates a dedicated area on packaging to display both the production date and expiry date, using high-contrast, legible fonts and colors, and arranging dates in year-month-day format nationwide.

Evidence grade: A

Sources: National People's Congress Standing Committee (third amendment in 2025). Food Safety Law (Articles 67, 68, 125). <https://flk.npc.gov.cn/detail?id=7b5a76d0461745a08d3f964916b87ef3>; National Health Commission of China (NHC), State Administration for Market Regulation of China (2025). Announcement on the release of 50 national food safety standards and 9 amendments including the "National Food Safety Standard - General Principles for Labeling of Prepackaged Foods" (GB 7718-2025) (2025 No. 2). <https://jkw.lasa.gov.cn/wswyh/wjzl/202504/a90766908ef24869a74f7373bf42463f.shtml> (Full text of the announcement reprinted by the Lhasa Municipal Health Commission); Supreme People's Court of China (2024). Interpretation of Several Issues Concerning the Applicable Law in the Trial of Food and Drug Punitive Damage Disputes (Fa Interpretation [2024] No. 9, Article 6, 8). <http://gongbao.court.gov.cn/Details/bf531a70471f10d377788f28d3d8f8.html> (Binning of label defects and missing required items); Beijing Municipal Administration for Market Regulation (2026). Can’t find the production date? Food labels need to "change their face"! These key points of the new regulations must be read. <https://scjgj.beijing.gov.cn/zwxx/scjgdt/202605/t20260507_4639154.html> (Implementation date, transition period and date display new requirements)

Notes: Label flaws are categorized into two types, each carrying distinct penalties and compensation rules. Minor flaws, such as spelling errors or irregular font sizes, which do not affect food safety or mislead consumers, only require correction by regulatory authorities; failure to do so results in a fine of up to 2,000 RMB, and consumers cannot claim tenfold compensation. Major flaws, such as missing production dates or shelf lives, are not classified as minor per judicial interpretations: fines are calculated based on the goods’ total value, with amounts ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 RMB if the value is under 10,000 RMB, and 5 to 10 times that value if it exceeds 10,000 RMB. In addition, consumers are entitled to tenfold compensation based on the food’s purchase price, with a minimum compensation amount of 1,000 RMB if the tenfold total is lower (see Section 5, Article 31 regarding tenfold food compensation). This section only verifies the production date and display requirements outlined in the GB 7718-2025 announcement and official interpretations; exact label formatting must follow the original standard text.