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 Foreign Market Development ( Ministry of Industry and Trade ) announced that China 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 (products of reconstituting powdered milk or condensed milk with water) as raw material for sterilized milk; only using fresh cow's or goat's milk as raw material for sterilized milk (including ultra-high temperature sterilized milk (UHT milk) and heat-sterilized milk); removing regulations related to technical requirements of reconstituted powdered milk as raw material; removing regulations related to 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 Foreign Market Development Department, Vietnam is still using reconstituted milk in the production of sterilized milk. This change has a big 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 relevant 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 consuming 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