What stricter regulatory measures will be introduced in the confectionery industry?

The confectionery industry is now subject to stricter, end-to-end regulatory oversight, with key standards being tightened across five major areas: production, food additives, distribution, labeling, random inspections, and traceability. The primary measures include the following:

I. Production Stage: Strict Grading and Management + Process Documentation
Implement differentiated inspection based on risk level: Candy manufacturers (medium-risk) shall undergo on-site inspections at least once every six months, with a focus on verifying workshop hygiene, process parameters, and equipment disinfection records.
Strengthen end-to-end control over additives: Require the establishment of a ledger for “collection—weighing—use—recovery,” with electronic scale data automatically uploaded to the regulatory platform; compounded additives must be accompanied by a certificate of ingredient analysis, and the use of unregistered compounded additives is prohibited.
Promote the upgrade of quality management systems: The target certification rate for HACCP and ISO 22000 among enterprises above designated size is to be increased to 80%, with certified enterprises eligible for support such as reduced frequency of random inspections.

II. Additive Regulation: Strict Source Control + Crackdown on Misuse
Implementation of categorized licensing review: The “Detailed Rules for the Review of Food Additive Production Licenses (2025 Edition)” classifies six categories, including gum-base candy base agents, under the categorized licensing system, thereby raising the entry threshold.
Launch a special campaign to address the abusive use of food additives: rigorously inspect and prohibit the use of sweeteners, colorants, and preservatives beyond their permitted scope or limits, and crack down on the practice of falsely labeling chemical products as food additives.

III. Circulation and Live Streaming: Transportation Permits + Strict Regulation of Live Streaming
Sugar Raw Material Transportation Permit: Effective July 2026, bulk road transportation permits will be required for sucrose syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, and other similar products, with integrated manifest management and end-to-end traceability implemented.
Stricter Regulation of Live-Stream Sales: New Rules Take Effect on March 20, Establishing a Closed Accountability Loop That Includes Platforms, Streamers, MCNs, and Suppliers; Clearly Defining Prohibited Product Lists, Mandating Public Disclosure of Qualifications, Tightening Restrictions on Marketing Claims, and Imposing Severe Penalties for Violations.

IV. Labels and Nutrition: Transparency + Health Orientation
Standardize ingredient and nutrition labeling: Mandate the accurate listing of ingredients, allergens, and nutritional information, and prohibit false or misleading claims such as “sugar-free” and “no additives.”
Promote sugar-reduction and sweetness-control regulation: Strengthen random inspections and risk alerts for high-sugar confectionery, and guide enterprises to optimize formulations and reduce added sugar content.

V. Random Inspections and Traceability: High-Frequency Monitoring + End-to-End Traceability
Expand the scope of risk monitoring to cover 12 product categories, including gummy candies, hard candies, and sugar substitutes, with testing for microorganisms, heavy metals, and food additives. The annual plan calls for 20,000 batches, with a particular focus on online platforms and rural areas for targeted sampling inspections.

Enhance traceability and product recalls: Require the establishment of a end-to-end traceability system spanning from raw materials to finished products; revise emergency response plans to ensure that, in the event of a problem, risk assessment and product recall are initiated within 72 hours.
These measures will substantially raise the compliance threshold for the confectionery industry, driving the sector toward greater safety, health, and regulatory adherence.