The 9th China Special Food Conference Successfully Concludes
The 9th China Special Food Conference took place from October 15th to 18th, 2024, in Chengdu, Sichuan. Hosted by the CNHFA, with Jiangnan University as co-host, and supported by the China Academy of Inspection and Quarantine and Wenzhou Medical University, the conference also received backing from numerous industry associations both domestically and internationally. Centred around the theme Stay True to the Mission, Innovate as the Foundation, and Drive Productivity in Nutrition Food, the event welcomed guests from government agencies, regulatory bodies, research institutions, and industry-leading companies.
The event was chaired by Bian Zhenjia, former Deputy Director of the State Food and Drug Administration and former President of the CNHFA; Chen Wei, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and President of Jiangnan University; and Li Xiaokun, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and President of Wenzhou Medical University, who served as Academic Chairs. Jiang Yujun, Vice President of the CNHFA and Vice President of Northeast Agricultural University; Shi Hanping, Vice President of the CNHFA and Director of the Oncology Nutrition and Metabolism Centre at Beijing Shijitan Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University; and Xu Xiping, Executive Director of the CNHFA’s Precision Nutrition Sub-Committee and Distinguished Professor at the Institute of Nutrition and Health at China Agricultural University, served as Academic Vice Presidents of the conference.
This year’s conference attracted nearly 3,000 participants from home and abroad. Ge Zhirong, former Deputy Director of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine; Qu Fenghong, Deputy Secretary-General of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Vice President of the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association; and Fang Ning, former Deputy Director of the Counsellors' Office of the State Council, attended the conference. Nine academicians delivered speeches, including Chen Wei; Li Xiaokun; Yin Yulong; Chen Jian; Ren Fazheng; Xie Mingyong; and Jin Zhengyu from the Chinese Academy of Engineering; Wei Yuquan from the Chinese Academy of Sciences; and Zhong Zhiqiang from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Nearly 100 leaders from government and regulatory departments participated, including Yang Xingping, Vice Governor of the Sichuan Provincial People’s Government; Zhao Junning, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director of the National Medical Products Administration; Zhou Shiping, Director of the Department of Special Food Safety Supervision and Management at the State Administration for Market Regulation; Gong Guoqiang, Deputy Director of the Department of Food Safety Standard Monitoring and Assessment at the National Health Commission; Li Ning, Director of the China National Centre for Food Safety Risk Assessment; Zhang Lanlan, Deputy Director of the Food Review Centre at the State Administration for Market Regulation; Nie Chunlei, former Director of the Primary Health Care Department at the National Health Commission; and Ding Gangqiang, Director of the Institute of Nutrition and Health at the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. Leaders from the National Health Commission, the State Administration for Market Regulation, as well as health commissions and market supervision bureaus across various provinces and cities, also joined the event.
More than 100 industry experts attended the event, including Han Dayuan, member of the Expert Committee of the State Council Food Safety Commission, Executive Director of the Collaborative Innovation Centre for Food Safety Governance at Renmin University of China, and Professor at the Law School; Yan Weixing, former Deputy Director of the China National Centre for Food Safety Risk Assessment; Zhang Shouwen, former Standing Deputy Director of the Heilongjiang Provincial Food and Drug Administration, Deputy Director of the Expert Committee of the Heilongjiang Provincial Government Food Safety Commission, and Professor/PhD Supervisor; Liu Ailing, Deputy Director of the Institute for Nutrition and Health at the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention; Yin Shian, Researcher at the Institute for Nutrition and Health at the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention; Tian Shaolei, Director of the National Food and Drug Review and Inspection Centre; Wang Cheng, Director of the CNHFA’s Food Safety News and Communication Committee and Director of the Food Industry Section at China Economic Net; Xu Hongxia, Director of the CNHFA’s FSMP Application Specialised Committee and Director of the Clinical Nutrition Department of the PLA Army Medical Centre; Mao Meng, Chief Scientist; Zhu Cuifeng, Chairman of the CNHFA’s Weight Management Committee and Director of the Nutrition Department at Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University; Wang Zhixu, Chairman of the CNHFA’s Maternal and Child Nutrition Specialised Committee and Professor at the School of Public Health of Nanjing Medical University; and Fan Dongsheng, Chairman of the CNHFA’s Rare Disease Nutrition Committee and Director of the Neurology Department at Peking University Third Hospital.
Nearly 100 business leaders participated in this year’s conference, including Liang Shuisheng, Vice President of the CNHFA and Vice Chairman of By-Health Co., Ltd.; Zhao Jianhong, Secretary of the Party Committee and Executive Vice President of Perfect (China) Co., Ltd.; Zheng Qunyi, Senior Vice President of Global Product Development at Herbalife; Qi Peilin, Head of Business Access China at Haleon; Li Fengting, CEO of China Region at H&H (China) Co., Ltd.; Hu Hai'e, Chief Engineer of Dongpeng Beverage (Group) Co., Ltd.; Wang Jian, Director of Regulatory Affairs, Greater China, Danone Asia Pacific (Shanghai) Management Co., Ltd.; Xing Houxun, President of Shenzhen Fulaite Precision Nutrition Group Co., Ltd.; Li Chaodong, Senior Vice President of NuSkin (China) Daily Health Products Co., Ltd.; Yang Guochao, Senior Vice President of FrieslandCampina; Chen Yuqi, Director of Zhen-Ao Group Co., Ltd.; Liu Xuecong, General Manager of Xiamen Bluebayst Technology Co., Ltd.; Liu Weibin, General Manager, Greater China at IFF Nourish; Ding Wen, Executive President of the Adult Nutrition and Care Business Unit (ANC) at H&H Group; Xiao Jingjing, CEO of Mead Johnson China; Yang Chaoqun, Vice President of Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd.; Gu Xinxin, Rotating Chairman of the CNHFA’s FSMP Sub-Committee, President of Nestlé Health Science Greater China, and Head of Global Medical Strategy and Marketing; Peng Xianwu, General Manager of Research and Development and Technical Regulations at Amway (China) Co., Ltd.; Wei Yanqing, Secretary of the Party Committee and CEO of Ausnutria (China); Zhang Xuguang, Vice President of Mengniu Group; Ma Jun, Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer at Infinitus (China) Co., Ltd.; Qiu Ye, President of Wyeth Nutrition Greater China; Yu Wei, CEO of Xiaozao Technology Co., Ltd.; Yang Yantao, Rotating Chairman of the CNHFA’s Complementary Foods for Infant and Young Child Specialised Committee and Chief Medical Officer of Nestlé Baby Nutrition; and Zhang Ping, Chief Supply Chain Officer of A2 Milk (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Chi Hee Kim, President of the International Dietary Supplement Alliance; Zhang Weijia, Head of Government Affairs and Policy at the American Chamber of Commerce in China; Qin Ran, Senior Government Affairs Manager at the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China; and representatives from various other international nutrition and health industry organisations attended the meeting and shared their research findings.
Leaders from nearly 20 provincial and municipal industry organisations from Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Guangdong gathered in Chengdu to discuss the future development priorities of the special food industry. They exchanged experiences, drawing on unique regional characteristics and industry strengths.
Representatives from major news media outlets—including China Media Group, Guangming Daily, Xinhuanet, People’s Daily Online, China Economic Net, China Net, People’s Daily Health App, Science and Technology Daily, Market Regulation News, China Food News, Consumer Daily, China Business Times, Yicai, China Consumers Magazine, China Food Magazine, Food Safety Herald, and Consumer Daily Cover (We Media)—attended the conference. They participated in various activities, including exclusive interviews with organisation presidents.
Over the four-day conference, 19 sessions and forums, along with five private meetings, were successfully held. Four events ran concurrently: the Iclub, Regulatory Night, the Elite Public Dietitian Competition, and Youth Learning and Reflection (a party-building activity). More than ten specialised committees of the CNHFA gathered at the conference, with over 100 industry experts delivering more than 200 keynote speeches. The result was a rich and diverse array of industry knowledge for the audience to enjoy.
At the opening ceremony, the Joint Approval Mechanism Utilising Technology and Expert Collaboration for special food standards, reviews, and technical institutions was introduced. Established by the State Administration for Market Regulation and the National Health Commission, this mechanism aims to fully promote innovative development within the industry.
“Joint Approval Mechanism Utilising Technology and Expert Collaboration” for Special Food Standards, Reviews, and Technical Institutions
During the conference, two collections of 10 books—Commonly Used Raw Materials and Applications in Special Food in China and The First 1000 Days of Life—were released, along with the Popular Science Guide to Brain and Heart Health Ingredients and Research Report on Nutrition Meal Replacement Food in China.
Book Launch Ceremony of Commonly Used Raw Materials and Applications in Special Food in China
Book Launch Ceremony of The First 1000 Days of Life
Launch Ceremony of Popular Science Guide to Brain and Heart Health Ingredients and A Research Report on Nutrition Meal Replacement Food in China.
Launch Ceremony of Research Report on Nutrition Meal Replacement Food in China
A press conference was held during the meeting to present the outcomes of the Maternal and Infant Nutrition Awareness and Education Initiative—The Maternal and Infant Nutrition Science Education Base Project.
Outcome Presentation of the Maternal and Infant Nutrition Awareness and Education Initiative – The Maternal and Infant Nutrition Science Education Base Project
During the conference, a summary of the outcomes of the 2024 National Public Welfare Campaign for Obesity and Renal Complications Prevention (May 11) was presented, and certificates were awarded.
The conference saw the establishment of the CNHFA Rare Disease Nutrition Specialised Committee.
Establishment of the CNHFA’s Rare Disease Nutrition Specilised Committee
The conference featured a variety of themed activities, including photo sessions, fridge magnet giveaways, and hands-on experiences with intangible cultural heritage crafts like making a Tuanshan (round fan) and a camping lamp. Additionally, friendly football matches were organised for attendees.
For the first time, the CNHFA held a party course during the conference, organising joint party-building activities that brought together government departments, technical institutions, industry organisations, and the party branches of member companies.
Party Day Activity – Youth Learning and Reflection
An exhibition area was set up at the venue, with over 30 vice-chairmen and member units participating to showcase cutting-edge technologies and leading products in the special food industry. A dedicated poster exhibition area featured nearly 30 outstanding posters selected for display. Leaders and guests visiting the exhibition expressed high appreciation for the showcased innovations. Looking ahead to the 10th China Special Food Conference next year, the organisers aim to create an even broader platform for companies to showcase their unique products and facilitate more in-depth engagement with the audience.
The successful hosting of the 9th China Special Food Conference has invigorated the industry’s enthusiasm for pursuing innovative development. The conference is expected to build momentum, foster new productive forces in China’s special food industry, and drive further achievements in its high-quality development. Additionally, the success of this year’s event has provided valuable experience to enhance preparations for the next conference.
As the Chinese saying goes, “Ten years are just enough to hone a sword.” Together, let us envision the 10th China Special Food Conference in 2025 and look forward to it bringing renewed energy and vitality to China’s special food industry!
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