Fighting fake imports? Health foods exported to China still need local authority recommendation
Overseas-made health foods entering China via the general trade route will still require official recommendation letters from their local authority when registering their manufacturing facility with the Chinese authorities – a move an industry expert said could be in response to concerns around fake imports.
The General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) announced the finalized “Catalogue of Foods that Require Official Recommendation Registration Letters” last week.
Health foods, including health supplements, which were previously not included in the Catalogue during the GACC’s public consultation, were included in the finalized Catalogue.
Alibaba Tmall breaks down biggest health foods categories in China
Vitamin and mineral supplements, cardiovascular health supplements, and kids nutrition are the three biggest nutraceutical categories in China in terms of sales revenue, according to major e-commerce channel Alibaba Tmall.
Li Donghui, a senior expert of Health & Wellness Industry Research & Operations at Alibaba Health Tmall, revealed new trends data and emerging opportunities in China’s health foods sector during his presentation at the Bo’ao Food for Health Science Conference and Expo 2026 (FHE 2026) held in Hainan, China from March 11 to 15.
VMS accounted for nearly 25% of all dietary supplement sales on Tmall last year, followed by cardiovascular health (over 15%) and kids’ nutrition (nearly 10%).
Protein users expanding in China, says BYHEALTH on new product launch
Protein consumption is growing in China across different consumer groups and demand for higher quality products is on the rise, says BYHEALTH, which has recently launched an upgraded version of its flagship protein powder product.
The protein content of the new product, called BYHEALTH Zhenzuan Protein Powder, has been increased from 80% to 90%. It was showcased at Bo’ao FHE 2026.
Speaking to NutraIngredients at the expo, Dr He Ruikun, deputy director of BYHEALTH Nutrition and Health Research Institute, said that Chinese consumers are increasingly interested in quality protein supplementation as living standards improve.
Weight management gaining attention in China, but actions still lacking: Junshi Chen
The general public in China now understands that body weight is something that should be controlled and managed, which Professor Junshi Chen, chief consultant of China’s National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, believes is a key achievement of China’s weight management initiatives that started in 2024.
However, there is still a lack of preventive actions to help prevent overweight and obesity.
Professor Chen, a renowned human nutrition scientist, has urged tripartite efforts from government agencies, scientists, and the industry in promoting weight management efforts in China.
Trade war impact: China’s health foods exports to the US slides 14.7% in 2025
The US is China’s largest health foods export destination; however, exports were down 14.7% last year partly due to US trade tariffs and changing trade policies.
China exported health foods worth US$623m to the US last year, down from US$730m in 2024, following a nearly 60% jump from US$457m the year before.
The market share of China health foods exported to the US also fell from 17.1% in 2024 to 13.5% in 2025.
