Core Points - The National Health Commission and the State Administration for Market Regulation have released 50 new national food safety standards and 9 amendments, bringing the total to 1,660 standards covering over 20,000 indicators across more than 340 food categories [1] - The new standards aim to enhance consumer health literacy and address rising obesity rates among children and adolescents by mandating clearer nutritional labeling [3][4] - The standards prohibit misleading terms like "no additives" or "zero additives" on food labels to prevent consumer deception and promote accurate understanding of food contents [5][6] Group 1: Impact on Consumers - The new standards require mandatory labeling of saturated fat and sugar in addition to existing nutritional information, enhancing consumer awareness of health risks associated with high sugar and fat intake [3] - The standards emphasize the importance of educating children about healthy eating habits to combat obesity and related chronic diseases [3][4] - Consumers are encouraged to actively learn about food labels to make informed choices and improve food safety awareness [4] Group 2: Industry Regulations - The new standards aim to eliminate misleading marketing practices in the food industry, ensuring that terms like "no added sugar" accurately reflect the product's content [5][6] - The standards require clearer labeling of production dates and shelf life, making it easier for consumers to identify the freshness of products [7] - A new recommendation for "consumption preservation period" is introduced to help reduce food waste, allowing consumers to understand the safe consumption timeframe beyond the stated shelf life [8][9]

Core Viewpoint - The recent release of 50 national food safety standards and 9 amendments by the National Health Commission and the State Administration for Market Regulation introduces new standards for "expiration date" and "consumption storage period," impacting consumer behavior and food safety awareness [1][6]. Group 1: Understanding Expiration Dates - Expiration dates serve to inform both sellers and consumers about potential quality degradation and safety risks after the specified period [3]. - Most pre-packaged foods are required to display expiration dates, which are determined by manufacturers based on quality testing and industry practices [3]. Group 2: New Standards and Changes - The new standards include the adjustment of the term "expiration date" to "expiration date" for clearer consumer understanding [6]. - The format for marking expiration dates has been standardized to a clear year-month-day sequence, enhancing information visibility [7]. - The new standards encourage the indication of a "consumption storage period," allowing consumers to safely consume products beyond the expiration date if stored correctly [7]. Group 3: Common Misconceptions about Expiration Dates - Not all foods require an expiration date; some items like alcohol, salt, and sugar can be stored indefinitely due to their natural preservative properties [8][10]. - The length of an expiration date does not necessarily correlate with the amount of preservatives; it is influenced by the food's characteristics and storage conditions [10]. - Many manufacturers set expiration dates with a safety margin, meaning that products may still be safe to consume after the date if there are no signs of spoilage [13]. - Safety is not guaranteed simply by being within the expiration date; proper storage conditions must also be observed to prevent premature spoilage [14][15].

Core Viewpoint - The newly revised National Food Safety Standard for Prepackaged Food Labeling introduces a "consumption preservation period" that allows food producers to voluntarily indicate the last consumption date based on food attributes and consumption characteristics, aiming to reduce food waste and provide clearer information to consumers [1][3]. Group 1: Regulatory Changes - The National Health Commission and the State Administration for Market Regulation released 50 food safety standards and 9 amendments, focusing on public concerns and industry development needs, ensuring interconnection and coordinated management of food safety risks [1]. - The introduction of the "consumption preservation period" system is a significant highlight of the new food safety standards, addressing consumer needs for consuming food beyond the expiration date [1][3]. Group 2: Consumer Awareness - Many consumers mistakenly believe that the expiration date is synonymous with the safety period, leading to confusion about the safety of slightly expired food [2]. - The "consumption preservation period" is intended to provide consumers with clear guidance, helping them understand the safety threshold for consuming slightly expired food without encouraging the consumption of expired products [3]. Group 3: International Practices - Several countries have established a "consumption preservation period" alongside best taste or best consumption periods, aligning with international practices and consumer habits [3]. - The voluntary labeling of the "consumption preservation period" allows consumers to make informed decisions about consuming slightly expired food, thereby reducing food safety risks and preventing waste [3].