The latest GB standard 19644 took effect on February 8, 2025. This regulation sets the standards for dairy food in China, outlining the terms, definitions, and technical requirements for milk powder. It applies to the production of whole, skimmed, and partially skimmed milk powder, as well as formulated milk powder.
CCIC EFT takes you through this important regulation. Compared to the 2010 edition, here are five key updates:
1. New standard name
Unlike the previous name "Milk Powder", the new version has been renamed "Milk Powder and Formulated Milk Powder" to better clarify its scope, making it easier to understand and implement. The standard also explicitly defines "formulated milk powder", stating that the content of milk solids from the main raw materials must be at least 70%.
2. New dairy species
In the 2024 version, the “raw cow (sheep) milk” has been expanded to “raw milk”, now covering powder produced by special dairy animals such as yaks, camels, donkeys, and horses. The standard also introduces specific technical requirements for different milk species, including protein content and its percentage in non-fat solids (NFS).
3. New requirement on single source
The latest version clearly specifies that the raw materials of the product must be "raw milk of a single source" to prevent adulteration.
4. New microbiological requirements
The latest standard aligns pathogen limit with GB 29921-2021, “Pathogenic Bacteria Limit in Prepackaged Food,” which also specific limits for Listeria monocytogenes in this product.
Additionally, it introduces minimum probiotic content requirements for products that claim to contain probiotics.
5. New labeling requirement
Under the latest version, the products must be labelled as "Milk powder" or "Formulated milk powder." The main dairy species information must be indicated on the packaging as well.