GB 7718-2004 General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods

a) For the date of minimum durability:
 "best before-" where the date is indicated;
  "The date of minimum durability up to---" where the date is indicated;
  "The date of minimum durability of ...months (days, or years)"

b) For the use-by date:
  "use by---" where the date is indicated;
  "The use-by date up to---" where the date is indicated;
  "The use-by date of..-months (days, or years)".

5.1.6.2 In addition to the date of minimum durability, any special conditions for the storage of the food shall be declared on the label if the validity of the date depends thereon.

5. 1. 7 Code of the product standard

　　The code and the order number of the national standard, trade standard, local standard or registered enterprise standard of the prepackaged food which is domestically produced and distributed (does not include imported prepackaged food) shall be declared.

5. 1. 8 Quality grades

　　Quality grades of products shall be declared in accordance with the product standard in which the grades for such food have been established.

5.1.9 Other mandatory labeling information

5.1.9.1 Irradiated foods

5.1.9.1.1 The label of a food which has been treated with ionizing radiation shall be marked "irrain close proximity to the name of the food

5.1.9.1.2 Any ingredient which has been treated with ionizing radiation shall be declared in the list of ingredients.

5.1.9.2 Genetically modified foods

　　The labeling of the genetically modified foods shall be made in accordance with the regulations of the administrative departments of the State Council.

5. 2 Exemptions from mandatory labeling requirements

5.2.1 The following prepackaged foods can be exempted from declaring the date of minimum durability:alcoholic beverages in which the alcohol content is 10% or over, vinegar, salt and sugar in solid form.

5.2.2 For a package or container whose largest surface area is less than 10 Cmz，the name of the product, net content and the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor may only be declared.For imported prepackaged food, the name of the country or region (Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) of origin; and the name and address of the agent, importer or distributor registered in Thr People's Republic of China shall be declared, and the name and address of the manufacturer are exempted.

　　See Appendix A for the method of calculation for the largest surface area of a package or container.

5.3 non-mandatory labeling information

5.3. 1 Batch identification

　　The batch number of the product identification may be declared if necessary.

5.3.2 Instructions for use

　　Instructions for use, like opening method, consumption method, intake amount per day/per meal,preparation method, method of reconstitution and other instructions which are helpful for consumers may be declared if necessary.

5. 3. 3 Energy and nutrients

　　The declaration of the energy and nutrient content, the nutrient content claim, the comparative claim on nutrient content and the nutrient function claim shall be in accordance with the provisions of GB 13432-2004.

Appendix A (normative)
Method of calculation for the largest surface area of package (container)
A. 1 Method of calculation for rectangular package (container)

　　In the case of a rectangular package (container)，the product of the height (cm) of the side with the largest area times the width (cm) of that side
A. 2 Method of calculation for cylindrical or nearly cylindrical package (container)

　　In the case of a cylindrical or nearly cylindrical package (container)，40 percent of the product of the height (cm) of the container times the circumference (cm).

4.3 Method of calculation for any otherwise shaped package (container)

　　In the case of any otherwise shaped package (container)，40 percent of the total surface of the pack age (container).

　　If the package (container) presents an obvious "principal display panel", the area of this "principal display panel" shall be used as the largest surface area.

　　Note: In the case of bottle-shaped or can-shaped, when determining the surface area, the shoulders, necks, and the
flanges at the tops and bottoms are excluded.
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