Enterprises exporting milk to China must adjust production processes.

From September 16, 2025, China will only allow the import of sterilized milk made from raw fresh milk. Illustrative photo

The Department of Overseas Market Development ( Ministry of Industry and Trade ) announced that China has issued the revised Appendix No. 1 to the National Food Safety Standards related to sterilized milk (GB 25190-2010).

The main amendments include: Removing the regulation allowing the use of reconstituted milk (a product of reconstituting powdered milk or condensed milk with water) as an ingredient for sterilized milk; only using fresh cow or goat milk as an ingredient for sterilized milk (including ultra-high temperature sterilized milk (UHT milk) and heat-sterilized milk); removing regulations related to the technical requirements of reconstituted powdered milk as an ingredient; removing regulations related to the labeling of products using reconstituted milk.

Thus, after September 16, 2025, products using reconstituted milk will no longer be recognized as sterilized milk according to the new standards, which means they cannot continue to be exported under the current product code group.

According to the Department of Foreign Market Development, Vietnam is still using reconstituted milk in the production of sterilized milk. This change has a great impact on the milk export activities of enterprises to this market.

Therefore, Vietnamese businesses are forced to quickly adjust product formulas, production processes, records, labels and completely switch to using raw fresh milk if they want to continue exporting.

Products exported to China using reconstituted milk must be classified as prepared milk. This significantly affects market access, especially when sterilized milk accounts for a large proportion of milk consumption in China.

In addition, this change may lead to a series of additional costs such as increased raw materials, adjustments to the production line system, risks to the stability of fresh milk supply, etc., directly affecting the price competitiveness and the ability to maintain market share of Vietnamese dairy products.

Accordingly, the Department of Domestic Market Development recommended that the leaders of the Ministry of Industry and Trade assign the Department of Industry to preside over and coordinate with the Import-Export Department and related units to study and evaluate the impact of China's new standard policy on dairy products to propose and advise on policies in the management and development of the dairy industry.

China is one of the largest and most potential milk consumption markets in the world .

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/doanh-nghiep-xuat-khau-sua-sang-trung-quoc-phai-dieu-chinh-quy-trinh-san-xuat-708632.html