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Laws and Regulations

Regulations for food labeling

Release date:2009-09-28
  • Promulgated on January 31, 2002.
  • Amendment to Article 4 promulgated on May 31, 2004.
  • Amendment to Article 4, Article 7 and Article 16 promulgated on June 2, 2006. The articles shall take effect on July 1, 2006.

Article 1
These regulations are enacted in accordance with Subparagraph 3 of Article 14 of the Food Administration Act (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”).

Article 2
Terms used in these regulations are as follows:

  1. Market sales: An activity conducted at a public location where a person provides commodities to and receives payment from unspecific person(s).
  2. Labeling: The descriptions, explanation of text, drawing or signs indicated on the package or container of food sold in the market.
  3. Definitions of the labeled items:
    1. Product name: Name and category of food.
    2. Quality specification: Combination and contents of ingredients in the container.
    3. Origin: Origin of ingredients.
    4. Weight: Net weight of the contents.
    5. Date of milling: The date when the food was produced.
    6. Expiry term: Period from the date of manufacture to the date when food is safe to eat.
    7. Name, telephone number and address of manufacturer: The data of food manufacturer or importer registered as a food dealer.


Article 3
Items to be labeled according to Article 14 of this Act must be labeled by the manufacturer or importer. For products that are manufactured or imported on consignment, the consignor must perform the labeling.

Article 4
In the labeling process, the following regulations shall be referred to:

  1. Labeling shall be made in clear and legible Chinese written characters or generally accepted symbols.
  2. The Chinese labeling characters shall be written in their official typesets. Imported foods’ labeling in Chinese shall be made before sale.
  3. The length and width of Chinese labeling characters shall be no less than 2mm. But the length and width of the labeling characters of origin shall be no less than 6mm.
  4. Labeling shall be printed on the container or package. The labeling of origin shall be marked clearly at the lower-center in front of the container or package.
  5. Mixtures of two or more categories of food shall be labeled in decreasing ratios of respective ingredients from top to bottom.


Article 5
The product name of food that has been classified in the terminology of the National Standards shall be labeled according to the National Standards. The product name that has not been listed in the terminology of the National Standards may be labeled with a proper name.

Article 6
The food for which quality and specifications have been graded with the National Standards may apply the grade of the National Standards; in case the food is not labeled with the grade, its contents shall be labeled according to item of specifications specified of National Standards. The food which has no grade of National Standards shall be labeled according to its actual quality and specifications.

Article 7
Foods sold in the market shall be labeled with the origin of ingredient for producing the food. Foods of domestic origin shall be labeled with “Made in Taiwan” or respective counties or cities in Taiwan. Foods imported from abroad shall be labeled with the names of the countries where the foods have been produced. Foods blended with sources from two or more countries of origin shall be labeled with their respective proportions.

Article 8
The packaging weight of contents shall be labeled in the metric system, with indication of a tolerance.
Said tolerance shall not be more than 1.5%.

Article 9
Date of milling shall be labeled with month, day and year in a legible manner according to business custom.

Article 10
In case an expiry term can be calculated to obtain an expiration date, the expiration date may be labeled.

Article 11
The food manufacturer or importer shall not use false, exaggerated or misleading information in the labeling and promotion.

Article 12
In case a food item has been subjected to special treatment, the food manufacturer shall label the treatment process involved.

Article 13
Packaging of food shall correspond with satisfy health standards of food utensils, containers and packages.

Article 14
Manufacturers or importers who fail to label properly according to these regulations shall be subject to penalties as described in Articles 16 and 18 of this Act.

Article 15
Formats for labeling according to these regulations shall be specified by competent authorities.

Article 16
These regulations shall take effect from the date of promulgation.
Amendment to Article 4 and Article 7 of these regulations on June 2, 2006 shall take effect on July 1, 2006.


  • Origin:
  • Refresh Date:2018-03-10