Asia Food Exhibition Spotlight: Technological Advancements Drive Quality Upgrade in Dairy Sector  

A significant update to China's national food safety standards is fundamentally reshaping the dairy industry. The implementation of the first amendment to the "Sterilized Milk" standard now mandates that only raw cow or goat milk can be used as the sole ingredient for sterilized milk products, effectively ending the practice of supplementing with reconstituted milk.

Elevated Quality Standards Enhance Nutritional Value  

The revised standards prioritize products processed directly from fresh raw milk, which retain higher nutritional content and superior flavor profiles compared to those utilizing reconstituted milk. This regulatory shift represents a fundamental value transformation across the entire dairy supply chain, emphasizing quality over quantity in milk production.

The updated requirements are expected to significantly increase demand for highquality domestic raw milk, helping stabilize milk prices and secure dairy farmers' incomes. This base construction and establish more integrated partnerships with dairy farmers.

trategic move encourages industry players to strengthen their focus on milk source

Technological Foundation Enables Standards Advancement  

The confidence to eliminate reconstituted milk stems from substantial improvements throughout the dairy value chain. China's milk production reached 41.555 million tons in 2024, ranking fourth globally, while simultaneously achieving worldclass levels in core nutritional indicators including milk protein and milk fat content.

This quality revolution is underpinned by technological innovations across multiple domains:

 Widespread cultivation of premium forage crops like alfalfa

 Independent development of superior dairy cattle genetics

 Adoption of smart farming practices in modern dairy operations

Advanced now feature fully automated milking systems where cows voluntarily enter rotary milking platforms without human intervention. Nationwide, largescale farming operations (with herds exceeding 100 cattle) account for 78% of production, demonstrating how technological innovation and refined management practices have created the foundation for this standards upgrade.

Evolving Consumption Patterns Drive Industry Innovation  

The standards adjustment reflects China's transition from milk shortage to higherlevel supplydemand balance. With minimal price difference now between domestic raw milk and imported milk powder, the regulatory change has limited impact on industry supply while better serving evolving consumer preferences.

The dairy market is witnessing diversification in consumption scenarios beyond traditional drinking milk, with products targeting specific needs such as blood sugar management and sleep improvement gaining popularity. Innovative business models are emerging, including:

 Direct connections between farms and retail outlets offering "fresh milk + bakery" breakfast solutions

 "Farm + tourism + sales" integrated operations transforming dairy farms into educational destinations that enhance product value

Future Development Opportunities  

Despite significant progress, China's dairy industry continues to face structural challenges, including overreliance on liquid milk products and underdevelopment of lowtemperature fresh milk categories. These challenges represent substantial growth opportunities, particularly in shifting consumption patterns from simply drinking milk to incorporating more dairy products into diets.

The development of cheese, butter, and other dried dairy products has emerged as a crucial strategy for addressing seasonal fluctuations in raw milk supply, extending industrial chains, and increasing added value. China's cheese consumption has grown 120% over the past five years, demonstrating the substantial potential in this transformation.

As highlighted at Asia Food Exhibition, these regulatory and technological advancements demonstrate China's dairy industry commitment to quality improvement, consumer protection, and sustainable development through continued innovation across the entire production chain.

Source:www.china5e.com/news/news

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