On 18 June, the General Administration of Customs (GAC) announced new inspection and quarantine supervision and administration requirements for fresh and refrigerated vegetables supplied to Hong Kong and Macao.

With Southeast Asia’s Muslim markets seen as very much a priority, the Chinese bakery sector has embraced halal compliance.

With mere weeks remaining before the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) begins to apply, some of Europe's biggest consumer goods and packaging companies, alongside several Member States, are warning that key parts of the legislation may not be ready for consistent implementation across all Member States.

Hong Kong’s total exports of processed food and beverages reached HK$48.6 billion in 2025, with re-exports accounting for more than 80% in value terms. Mainland China and Macao were the top two largest markets for Hong Kong’s processed food and beverage exports, accounting for 54% and 24% of the total exports respectively last year.

Changing consumer preferences have transformed the prospects of the country’s more entrepreneurial baked goods suppliers.

Quality testing for all tea consignments imported into India became mandatory as of 1 May this year as part of moves to tackle the rising inflow of low-cost, potentially substandard products. Introduced by the Tea Board of India, the initiative is intended to both strengthen quality control and protect the domestic tea industry.

The Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation issued implementation rules on 29 April for quality supervision and random inspections in the manufacturing of 18 types of food-related products.

On 6 March, the Shenzhen Administration for Market Regulation issued Implementation Rules of Shenzhen Municipality for Supervision and Random Inspection of the Quality of Food-related Products in 2026. Items subject to random inspections include pacifiers, food contact materials and products made of enamel, ceramics, glass, plastic, paper, paperboard, metal, coated substances, etc.

Regulations on the Registration and Administration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food will enter into force on 1 June. In view of this, on 18 March the General Administration of Customs (GAC) issued details of relevant catalogue lists, customs declaration requirements, registration procedures and inquiry channels.

The updated Detailed Rules on Examination of Production Licensing for Formula Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP) was released by the State Administration for Market Regulation on 3 March and took effect on the same day. The rules consist of 43 articles spanning seven chapters, and include stringent requirements for production sites, equipment and facilities, technological procedures, personnel management, institutional management and other areas.