CNHFA 2026 Work Plan

 1

11th (2026) China Special Food Conference

One of the largest gatherings in the special food sector in China which:

· invites regulatory authorities, industry experts and corporate representatives to exchange the latest research findings in the field of special foods;

· promotes practical industry experiences, propose solutions and strategies to address development bottlenecks;

· facilitate the commercialisation of special food industry achievements, and advance high-quality industrial development.

 2

Forward-looking research on special foods (policy, technology, etc.)

CNHFA Research Fund’s Roles:

· Enhancing the research fund mechanism;

· Establishing a specialised collaborative research platform;

· Supporting innovation-driven industry development; and

· Accelerating the application of scientific achievements.

 3

Food Trusted Data Space Project

Establishing a national-level industry data hub to:

· address challenges in the special food sector;

· unlock the potential of data elements, enhance digital and intelligent technology empowerment; and

· foster a virtuous industrial ecosystem integrating “data-R&D-regulation-consumption”.

This initiative will provide robust impetus for safeguarding public health and cultivating new productive forces within the broader health sector.

 4

Book compilation

Organising the compilation of authoritative industry reference books, with planned publication of Industrial Transformation of China’s Special Foods Driven by Technological Convergence and Innovation.

 5

“Talks on the Four Novelties” Forum

Gathering together regulators, research institutions and industry stakeholders to explore the scientific foundations and practical pathways for new ingredients, new processes, new functionalities and new products and to R&D innovation in the special food sector.

 6

Association standards

Releasing relevant group standards to advance standardised, high-quality development within the industry.

 7

Expert consensus on weight management

Organising the compilation and release of expert consensus on weight management to:

· promote healthy lifestyles;

· enhance public health literacy; and

· support the Healthy China initiative.

 8

Public Nutritionist skills assessment

· Implementing capacity-building programmes for professionals in the special food and nutritional health sectors, such as: specialised continuing education programs such as Maternal and Child Health Guidance Officers and Special Medical Purpose Food Application Guidance Officers;

· Conduct focused, systematic training and exchange programmes centred on professional knowledge for diverse industry stakeholders including regulators, review teams, and practitioners.

 9

International cooperation on China’s special foods

· Assisting domestically based enterprises with traditional strengths in developing into globally renowned nutritional health food brands;

· Conducting research into overseas special food policies;

· Releasing quarterly publication of English-language updates to inform international partners about domestic industry policy developments and association activities;

· Organising bilateral/multilateral exchanges with international organisations, industry associations, and academic institutions; actively participate in international conferences to amplify China's industry voice;

· Organising member enterprises for study visits to South American nations (Brazil/Chile/Argentina etc.), participating in exhibitions and facilitating exchange meetings to understand local policies, regulations and market environments.

 February

Academic Conference on Rare Diseases

Focusing on paediatrics, neurology, and nutrition, this conference addresses clinical challenges in rare disease diagnosis and treatment, explores innovative research directions, and facilitates multidisciplinary collaboration pathways. It aims to advance treatment standards and foster industry consensus.

 March

“3·15” International Consumer Rights Day event: Food Talk

· Delivering tangible services to consumers through expert dialogues, science popularisation articles, educational videos, and related events.

· Fostering positive momentum within the nutritional health products sector while safeguarding consumer rights.

 March

Ketogenic Diet Conference

Promoting understanding and awareness of the ketogenic diet among professionals from medical institutions, universities, and corporate R&D sectors, while strengthening academic exchange across clinical subspecialties.

 March

Council, Standing Committee, Supervisory Board

· Second Meeting of the Third Council and Second Meeting of the Standing Committee.

· Second Meeting of the First Supervisory Board

 May

6th National Academic Conference on Weight Management

Strengthening academic exchange across clinical nutrition subspecialties to advance standardised, cutting-edge, technologically innovative, pathway-standardised and data-precise clinical management of weight issues in both emaciation and obesity.

 May

China Bio-nutrition Conference

· Fostering exchange on the latest research findings, technological breakthroughs, and industrial applications within the field of bio-nutrition.

· Pooling together industry consensus, jointly formulating development plans, and collaboratively exploring innovative pathways towards a mutually beneficial bio-nutrition ecosystem.

 June

National Food Safety Awareness Week activities

· China Food Consumer Conference:  Establishing a platform for dialogue and exchange between Chinese food consumers, government bodies, scientists, and enterprises.

· “University Students’ China Tour on Food Safety and Nutrition” Practical Project: Organising university student volunteers to engage with grassroots communities, promoting awareness of food safety and nutrition.

· Special Food Festival: New Consumer Industry Development Conference:  Exploring trends and characteristics within the nutrition and health sector under new consumption dynamics, strengthening industry self-regulation, fostering a fair competitive market environment, and promoting the healthy and orderly development of the special food industry.

 July

10th Academic Conference on the Clinical Application of Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP)

Advancing the establishment and refinement of standards for foods for special medical purposes, standardising clinical application pathways, deepening industry-academia-research collaboration, and driving innovation in key technologies.

 July

4th Academic Conference on Maternal and Infant Nutrition and Evidence-based Feeding

Inviting experts and scholars from across the nation in maternal and child health to share cutting-edge research, effectively advancing the application of the latest nutritional science developments and outcomes to benefit maternal and infant populations.

 September

5th Symposium on Maternal and Infant Nutrition and Psychosomatic Health

Inviting leading domestic and international experts in obstetrics, paediatrics, nutrition, psychology and other maternal and infant fields to engage in in-depth discussions on cutting-edge research and applications within maternal and infant health.

 October

2026 Clinical Nutrition Action Conference under the National Nutrition Plan

· Discussing key initiatives and topical issues including pilot programmes for hunger-free hospitals;

· Enhancing clinical nutrition diagnosis and treatment capabilities in primary healthcare facilities, standardised dietary management in hospitals, and the clinical application of medical foods.

 November

Symposium on Marine Bioactive Compounds

Conducting academic exchanges and nutritional health education centred on the latest research findings in marine bioactive substances, driving sustained innovation and high-quality development within the marine bioactive substances nutrition and health food industry.

 Other Brand Events

FCS Food Salon

Establishing communication channels among specialised committees to advance cross-committee collaboration, facilitate professional discussions, enhance shared understanding, and explore joint development opportunities.

FPC Policy and Regulatory Open Lecture (free)

Delivering authoritative regulatory briefings on special foods, nutritional health foods, and other foods for special dietary uses.

GFUN Professional Managers’ Insights Forum

Facilitating exchanges on challenges faced by professional managers in the food industry and their capability development, enhancing managerial competence, and strengthening cross-sectoral collaboration.

Party Building Leadership

Studying and implementing the guiding principles of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC

Deepening the understanding and implementing the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee to advance high-quality development within the industry.

Joint Party-building initiatives

Engaging in Party-building joint activities with regulatory authorities, industry organisations, and member units through the “Youth Learning and Youth Reflection” initiative, using Party-building to guide business operations.

Publications

China Special Food (Magazine)

Providing professional information and insights for the nutrition and health food industry.

Integrated media channels

Official website, official WeChat account, Food Talk, Douyin account, Toutiao account, People’s Daily account

Core academic journals

The CNHFA serves as one of the chief editorial units for the following professional core journals:

· Electronic Journal of Metabolism and Nutrition of Cancer

· Journal of Nutritional Oncology

· Precision Nutrition

· Medical Reference: Nutrition Channel

Sector research

Conducting research on China’s and global industrial development, publishing sector reports, commissioned by industry stakeholders and other parties.

Regulatory Standards

CNHFA-RA regulatory affairs working meeting

Holding fortnightly working meetings addressing topical regulatory issues.

Social Responsibility

Public-interest initiatives

Collaborating with member enterprises, local governments, and other relevant institutions to undertake various public welfare initiatives.

· “5·11” Obesity and Complications Prevention Campaign;

· Rural revitalisation support initiatives in Heilongjiang, Tibet, Gansu and Qinghai, among other regions