China’s health-food filing activity remained robust in the first quarter of 2026, though underlying trends suggest a shift in market strategy.

According to data released by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), 770 health-food products received filing approvals during Q1 2026. Domestic companies accounted for the vast majority of activity, with 767 filings, while only three imported products—from Canada, the United States, and Germany—were approved.

However, after excluding cancelled products, the number of effective domestic filings dropped to 577, representing a 34% year-over-year decline. A total of 263 domestic companies participated in the filing process, averaging approximately three new products per company.

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Why It Matters

While product development and filings remain active, the decline in effective domestic approvals points to a broader shift in the market. Companies appear to be moving away from high-volume product launches toward more targeted portfolio strategies, regulatory refinement, and product optimization.

For both domestic and international players, this trend underscores the increasing importance of quality over quantity, as well as the need for more strategic alignment with China’s evolving regulatory environment.

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Bottom Line:
China’s health-food market continues to generate new product activity, but the data suggests a transition toward more disciplined, strategic product development and regulatory planning. (Source: zxfull.com & HPA-Global)