Chinese authorities have released a draft revision of the Food Safety National Standard for zinc oxide as a food nutritional fortifier, intended to replace GB 1903.4-2015. The update strengthens quality and safety controls by revising the scope, introducing a new purity requirement for zinc oxide content after ignition (?99.0%), and adding limits for sulfate and cadmium, along with updated test methods for iron, lead, and arsenic. The standard applies to zinc oxide produced by calcination of basic zinc carbonate or oxidation of zinc ingots and defines the substance as ZnO (molecular mass 81.38).
Revised impurity limits include iron (?50 mg/kg), arsenic (?2.0 mg/kg), lead (?5.0 mg/kg), cadmium (?3.0 mg/kg), and sulfate (?0.05%), alongside requirements for loss on ignition (?1.0%) and other purity tests. Detailed analytical methods such as EDTA titration and wet chemical testing are specified to ensure consistent laboratory enforcement. Once finalized, the standard will serve as the primary compliance basis for production, testing, and regulatory supervision of food-grade zinc oxide in China, with industry stakeholders invited to provide comments during the consultation period.
Consumer News Region