Effective from 29th January 2026, China’s new production licensing rules for infant formula liquid milk introduce clearer standards and stricter controls for manufacturers. The rules strengthen product definitions, prohibit contract production, and require full in‑house manufacturing capabilities as well as reinforcing safety systems as part of China’s ongoing food safety reforms.
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has released new detailed rules governing the production licensing review of infant formula liquid milk, further strengthening regulatory oversight in China’s special foods sector. The announcement, issued on January 29, 2026, publishes the Detailed Rules for the Review of Production Licenses for Infant Formula Liquid Milk (hereinafter, the ‘new rules’) and took effect immediately upon release.
Formulated by the Department of Special Food Safety Supervision and Administration under SAMR, the new rules establish clearer and more standardised requirements for enterprises seeking to manufacture infant formula liquid milk in China. As a category subject to stringent supervision due to its direct impact on infant health and nutrition, infant formula products remain one of the most tightly regulated segments within China’s food industry.
The issuance of these detailed review rules signals continued efforts by China’s regulators to refine licensing procedures, strengthen production controls, and enhance product safety standards in the infant nutrition market. For domestic producers and foreign-invested food manufacturers alike, the new framework underscores the importance of compliance readiness, facility standards, and quality management systems when entering or expanding within this highly sensitive sector. For more visit china-briefing.com
