Market Regulation Authority Reports 46 Batches of Non-Compliant Food: Excessive Additives and Mislabeling as Main Causes—Export-Related Enterprises Urged to Review Halal/Organic/Gluten-Free Claims Compliance

Introduction

On March 31, 2026, China's Market Regulation Authority (MRA) announced the detection of 46 batches of non-compliant food products, with 73% involving excessive use of food additives or mislabeled nutritional information. The report specifically highlighted discrepancies in products marketed as 'Clean Label' or 'Gluten-Free,' which are primarily export-oriented. This incident raises concerns for food manufacturers, exporters, and importers, particularly those dealing with specialty claims such as halal, organic, or allergen-free products. The findings underscore the need for stricter compliance verification in global food supply chains.

Event Overview

The MRA's latest inspection revealed that nearly three-quarters of the non-compliant products either exceeded permitted additive levels or contained inaccurate labeling. Notably, several export-focused products failed to meet their advertised 'Clean Label' or 'Gluten-Free' claims upon testing. The authority has advised overseas importers to request original third-party test reports from Chinese suppliers and verify their alignment with product claims.

Impacted Sub-Sectors

1. Export-Oriented Food Manufacturers

Companies specializing in 'Clean Label,' 'Gluten-Free,' or other specialty claims face heightened scrutiny. The MRA's findings may lead to increased rejections or recalls in international markets, particularly in regions with strict labeling regulations (e.g., the EU, North America, and halal-certified markets).

2. Ingredient Suppliers

Raw material providers for additives or specialty ingredients (e.g., gluten substitutes) may experience tighter audits from downstream manufacturers seeking to ensure compliance with global standards.

3. Third-Party Certification Bodies

Certifiers for halal, organic, or allergen-free products could see growing demand—but also greater accountability—as importers scrutinize documentation more rigorously.

Key Focus Areas and Recommended Actions

1. Verify Claims with Third-Party Testing

Exporters should proactively provide authenticated lab reports to overseas buyers, ensuring test parameters align precisely with label claims (e.g., gluten content below 20ppm for 'Gluten-Free').

2. Audit Supply Chains for Additive Compliance

Manufacturers must review ingredient sourcing and production processes, particularly for additives like preservatives or colorants that frequently violate thresholds.

3. Preempt Importers’ Documentation Requests

Anticipate stricter demands from international buyers by preparing batch-specific certificates of analysis (CoAs) and up-to-date certification documents.

Editor’s Observation

From an industry perspective, this incident signals a tightening of enforcement on label accuracy—a trend already evident in markets like the EU (via Regulation (EU) 2018/848) and the U.S. (FDA’s gluten-free labeling rule). While the MRA’s report focuses on detected violations, it indirectly pressures exporters to adopt stricter self-regulation. The recurring issue of additive misuse suggests systemic gaps in quality control that warrant operational reviews beyond mere compliance checks.

Conclusion

The MRA’s findings highlight persistent challenges in food labeling integrity, especially for products with specialty claims. For industry stakeholders, this serves as a prompt to reassess verification protocols and preempt regulatory risks in target markets. Rather than viewing this as an isolated enforcement action, businesses should treat it as part of a broader shift toward traceability and transparency in global food trade.

Source

Market Regulation Authority (MRA) of China, official announcement dated March 31, 2026. Ongoing monitoring recommended for subsequent policy updates or expanded inspection campaigns.