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On March 27, 2025, The People’s Republic of China (China’s) National Health Commission (NHC) and the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) jointly released the National Food Safety Standard for Cream, Butter, and Anhydrous Milk Fat (GB 19646-2025).

In the United Kingdom (UK) regulatory changes affecting high-sugar soft drinks and food and drink products high in fat, sugar, and salt food (HFSS) come into effect in April and October 2025.

On March 27, 2025, the People's Republic of China's (China's) National Health Commission (NHC) and State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) jointly released the National Food Safety Standard of Cereal-based Complementary Foods for Infants and Young Children (GB 10769-2025).

On March 27, 2025, The People's Republic of China (China’s) National Health Commission (NHC) and State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) jointly released the National Food Safety Standard Canned Complementary Foods for Infants and Young Children (GB 10770-2025).

China was the world’s second largest importer of food in 2024, at $197 billion, with a significant portion going into food processing.

The United Kingdom's (UK) food manufacturing sector faces a challenging landscape, with cost increases projected to reach 2.9 percent in 2025. In response, manufacturers are strategically focusing on new product development to capture market share and cater to evolving consumer demands for healthier choices.

On March 15 and 17, the General Administration of Customs of China renewed or extended the facility registrations by five years for approximately 14 U.S. dairy, 210 U.S. poultry, and 365 U.S. pork establishments.

In 2024, China’s pet (dog and cat) consumer market reached $41.9 billion (302 billion yuan), an increase of 7.5 percent compared with 2023. Despite the economic headwinds faced by Chinese consumers, China’s pet consumer market demonstrated resilience and steady growth following a 10-year period of rapid growth.

Under a new policy, importers of wine and distilled spirits whose domestic agents are registered within the Shanghai Free Trade Zone are no longer required to register the U.S. producer name and brand as a trademark in China prior to commercial sales.

On October 18, 2024, China notified National Food Safety Standard for Sterilized Milk Amendment No. 1 to the World Trade Organization (WTO) under G/SPS/N/CHN/1322.

The United Kingdom is still facing a cost-of-living crisis. In October 2024, businesses and consumer confidence indexes dropped to the lowest level this year as uncertainty looms with regards to the newly elected Labour administration and what they may announce in the October 30 government budget.

China continued to be the world’s largest food importing country in 2023, with total food imports valued at $140 billion. The United States was the 4th largest source of China’s imports of consumer-oriented agricultural products in 2023.