Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormPowder
Industry PositionFood ingredient / dietary supplement ingredient
Market
In China, maca powder (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) was approved by the National Health Commission (then Ministry of Health) as a “new resource food” in 2011, with a defined processing description (slicing, drying, grinding, sterilization) and an intake limit of ≤25 g/day. The approval also requires labeling that identifies non-suitable populations (infants, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women) and the intake limit. Commercially, maca powder is used as a food ingredient and is also commonly positioned in the “health food” (dietary supplement) category, where registration/filing and permitted-claim constraints are key market-access considerations. Supply can be supported by domestic cultivation reported in multiple provinces and by imports, making regulatory classification and compliance central to trade feasibility.
Market RoleLarge consumer market with both domestic cultivation and imports; regulated as an NHC-approved new resource food ingredient and, when marketed as health food, under SAMR health food registration/filing rules
Domestic RoleApproved food ingredient with explicit intake and labeling constraints; frequently commercialized through health food product positioning
Specification
Physical Attributes- Appearance specified as pale yellow powder (per NHC approval for maca powder as new resource food).
Compositional Metrics- Protein content ≥10% (per NHC approval specification).
- Dietary fiber content ≥10% (per NHC approval specification).
- Moisture ≤10% (per NHC approval specification).
- Intake limit specified as ≤25 g/day, with mandatory labeling of intake limit and non-suitable populations (infants, pregnant women, breastfeeding women).
Packaging- Label/insert should identify non-suitable populations and the intake limit (per NHC approval requirements).
- Moisture-barrier packaging is typically used to maintain compliance with the ≤10% moisture requirement (verify against buyer specification).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Cultivated maca root/rhizome → slicing → drying → grinding → sterilization → finished maca powder packaging → domestic distribution and/or import clearance (as applicable)
Temperature- Ambient storage/transport is typical for powder, with emphasis on avoiding heat and humidity that can drive caking or moisture non-compliance.
Shelf Life- Shelf life is primarily moisture- and packaging-integrity-driven; moisture control is directly relevant to the NHC moisture specification (≤10%).
Freight IntensityLow
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighChina’s NHC approval for maca powder as a new resource food includes explicit conditions (≤25 g/day intake limit; labeling of non-suitable populations such as infants, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women; and defined quality specifications). Non-compliant labeling, positioning, or use outside the approved conditions can lead to product removal, border delay, or enforcement action.Build China-ready label and dossier checks around NHC 2011 No.13 (intake limit + non-suitable populations + specifications) and confirm whether the intended positioning triggers SAMR health food registration/filing before commercialization.
Food Safety HighIllegal adulteration with “nafil/rafil” substances (e.g., sildenafil/tadalafil-class drugs or derivatives) is a documented enforcement focus in China’s food/health food market, including cases involving products marketed as “maca” for sexual-function effects; such findings can trigger severe penalties and criminal referrals.Implement routine screening for PDE5 inhibitors/derivatives and strengthen supplier qualification and inbound QC for all maca-positioned SKUs, especially those marketed for vitality/sexual-function effects.
Regulatory Compliance MediumA regulatory transition is scheduled: GACC Decree 280 on overseas producer registration takes effect on June 1, 2026, replacing Decree 248; compliance workflows may need updates during the transition window for imported maca powder/health foods.Audit current Decree 248-based procedures (registration status, packaging marking, renewal timing) and update SOPs ahead of June 1, 2026 to align with Decree 280 requirements.
Documentation Gap MediumProduct specifications are explicitly defined in the NHC approval (e.g., moisture ≤10%, protein and dietary fiber thresholds). Missing or inconsistent CoA/spec alignment can lead to buyer rejection or regulatory challenge during inspection.Standardize CoA against NHC specification items and retain lot-level records to support inspection, complaint handling, and any label-claim substantiation review.
Labor & Social- China’s regulators actively target fraud, exaggerated efficacy, and illegal promotion in the food/health food sector, which can create reputational and enforcement risk for maca-positioned products if marketing crosses compliance lines.
FAQ
Is maca powder allowed as a food ingredient in China, and is there a daily intake limit?Yes. China’s National Health Commission approved maca powder (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) as a “new resource food” in 2011, and the approval specifies a maximum intake of ≤25 g/day.
What processing steps define maca powder under China’s approval?The NHC approval describes maca powder as made from maca via slicing, drying, grinding (powdering), and sterilization.
What labeling constraints apply to maca powder in China under the approval conditions?The NHC approval requires the label/instructions to state the non-suitable populations (infants, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women) and to display the intake limit (≤25 g/day).
If maca products are marketed as “health food” (dietary supplements) in China, is additional approval needed?Yes. If the product is positioned/marketed as “health food” in China, it falls under the Health Food Registration and Filing Measures administered by SAMR, and it typically requires a health food registration certificate or filing certificate depending on the product’s attributes.