GB/T 29602-2026 《Solid Beverage-Quality Requirements》

Issued on July 2, 2026, and to be formally implemented on August 1, 2027, GB/T 296022026 Solid BeverageQuality Requirements replaces GB/T 296022013 Solid Beverage.

This marks the first major revision for China’s solidbeverage sector since the initial release in 2013. Key revisions cover standard positioning, product classification, technical specifications, inspection rules and labelling requirements. The update aims to raise industry quality thresholds, regulate market order and safeguard consumer interests. Core changes are outlined below:

Renamed Solid BeverageQuality Requirements, the revised standard is defined as a dedicated qualityspecification document. It states: “Foodsafety requirements shall comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies and national foodsafety standards”. The chapter on foodsafety requirements from the old version has been removed. This reflects China’s standardsystem reform: quality standards focus on quality grading and process specifications, while foodsafety bottomline requirements are governed by dedicated national foodsafety standards.

Majorcategory adjustment: The number of main categories is reduced from 8 to 7. The “specialpurpose solid beverage” category is deleted. Its subcategories including nutrientfortified, electrolyte and sports solid beverages are reallocated under “other solid beverages”. Subcategory refinement: Protein solid beverages: Yeastproteinbased type is newly added, forming four subtypes: milkprotein, plantprotein, yeastprotein and compoundprotein solid beverages. Tea solid beverages: Teabags are explicitly excluded from this category. Coffee solid beverages: Flavoured coffee powder is added as a new subcategory. Other solid beverages: Nondairy creamer and livelacticacidbacteria solid beverages are specified as subcategories.

Vague descriptions such as “other solid beverages” and “other protein solid beverages” in the old standard are removed to prevent improper application or misuse of the standard.

Prohibited rawmaterial clause: A new general clause clarifies that hydrolysed animal protein processed from nonfood raw materials such as leather scraps and hair shall not be used as raw materials for any solid beverages. Sensory and moisture indicators: Moisture limit remains ≤7.0 g/100 g. Sensory requirements cover both the dry product and the reconstituted beverage. Refined physicochemical indicators tailored for individual subcategories: Fruitvegetable type: Pure powder shall contain 100 % fruit/vegetablejuice solids; minimum juice content thresholds are specified for fruit, vegetable and compound solid beverages. Protein type: milk protein ≥1 g/100 g; plant protein ≥0.5 g/100 g; yeast protein ≥1 g/100 g. Tea type: A minimum caffeine requirement is newly introduced; formulatedtea products are subject to specifications for tea polyphenols, juice and protein content. Coffee type: Caffeine and coffeesolidcontent requirements are defined. Botanical type: Indicators including total flavonoids for herbaltea products and solid contents for cocoa, herbal and grainbased products are added. Livelacticacidbacteria type: viable count ≥10⁸ CFU/g.

Sampling: At least 8 individual packages per batch, with total mass ≥2 kg (old version: 12 packages, total net content ≥500 g). Factoryrelease testing: Mandatory microbial testing is eliminated. Mandatory basic items are sensory evaluation and moisture. Categoryspecific items are added as applicable, e.g. protein content for proteintype products, tea polyphenols for teatype products, viablebacteria count for livebacteria products.

1.Naming and attribute labelling Product names shall not duplicate names of approved specialfood products. Terms easily confused with pharmaceuticals such as “granule”, “agent” and “powder formulation” are prohibited. The term “solid beverage” must be displayed prominently in font size no smaller than other text on the same display panel.

2.Mandatory warning statement Seven product groups (proteintype, planttype, nutrientfortified, electrolyte, sportstype, flavoured, and livelacticacidbacteria solid beverages) shall carry the following warning on the same display panel:

The warning area shall account for no less than 20 % of the panel area, printed in bold font with distinct colour contrast against background.

3. Prohibited claims and representations  No explicit or implied indication that the product is intended for specific groups including minors, the elderly, pregnant/lactating women or patients. No implication of disease prevention, treatment or health benefits via production processes or rawmaterial descriptions. The terms “mealreplacement” and “nutritional powder” are banned across all categories.

4. Categoryspecific labelling requirements For fruitvegetable products: state reconstituted fruitvegetablejuice content and compounding ratio. For compoundprotein products: indicate contribution ratio of each protein source. For singlenamedtea products: corresponding tearawmaterial proportion ≥80 %. For coffee products: caffeine content shall be labelled.

5.Ecofriendly packaging guidance Reduce use of divider inserts; ecofriendly materials are preferred; plastic foam is discouraged.

The standard comes into force on August 1, 2027. Before this date, GB/T 296022013 shall continue to apply. Manufacturers of solid beverages are advised to arrange staff training, review product lines, revise labels and documentation, and complete qualitytesting preparations for a smooth transition.

After implementation, imported solid beverages sold in China shall also fully comply with this standard, especially labelling requirements. Manufacturers and sellers of solid beverages shall closely monitor updates to GB/T 29602 and complete compliance upgrades accordingly.