On January 4 2023,the CNHFA held the first working meeting in 2023 to discuss the Guidelines on Food for Special Medical Purposes(FSMP)(hereinafter the Guidelines)as recently released by the State Administration of Market Regulation(SAMR).160 people from FSMP companies were invited to the online meeting,along with the following guests:Liu Songtao,Deputy Director General of the SAMR's Special Food Department;Li Xiaoyu,Director of the SAMR's Infant Formula Registration Department;and Xin Mintong,Second Class Researcher in the SAMR.

　　The meeting was chaired by CNHFA Executive Vice President Li Liangqiu.Wang Mengting,Deputy Director of the CNHFA's Regulatory Affairs Department,presented the drafting process for and background to the Guidelines.The following participants expressed their views on the publication of the Guidelines:Gu Xinxin,President of NestléHealth Science,Greater China,and Chairman-in-Office of CNHFA’s FSMP Division;Zou Chunyi,Vice President of External Affairs of Danone,Greater China;and Guo Haifeng,Chairman of Jilin Mafu Nutrition Technology Co.Ltd.Contributions were also made by representatives from Yili Group,Mead Johnson,Feihe,and other companies.

　　At the meeting,the FSMP Division declaim the FSMP Industry Self-Discipline Initiative,emphasising that it would actively implement the requirements of the Guidelines,put in place reasonable and feasibly phased planning with regard to packaging material changes,publicise the"Little Blue Flower"(China's proprietary logo representing the FSMP)and safeguard the FSMP's image in the Chinese market.

　　Lastly,Liu Songtao,Deputy Director General of the SAMR's Special Food Department,summarized the content of the meeting and expressed the hope that the enterprises concerned would be able to implement the Guidelines as promptly as possible,whilst also proposing that the CNHFA actively play a bridging role through which to offer guidance on those products and enterprises to be labelled in accordance with the Guidelines.

　　As part of its next steps,the FSMP Division will continue to follow up on its work as is relevant to the Guidelines,gather information about any issues arising from its implementation,and assist the regulatory authorities in promoting and interpreting the Guidelines both effectively and successfully.

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