“Before buying food, always check the ingredient list first,” said Ms. Tan, who was shopping at a supermarket in Chaoyang District, Beijing. “When it comes to food that you eat, you need to learn how to read product standards and ingredient lists, and stay away from those ‘technology and trickery’ practices.” Ms. Tan often learns how to interpret ingredient lists through social media platforms. She looks forward to the government enacting stricter and more eco-friendly product standards so that consumers can purchase healthier and more reliable food.

Food is the foundation of people’s lives, and food safety has always been a core concern for consumers. With the increasing awareness of health among consumers, having a “clean ingredient list” has become a hot trend in the food industry, driving it towards a new phase of high-quality development.

On February 8, 2025, the new version of the **National Food Safety Standard for the Use of Food Additives** was officially implemented. This not only sparked a wave of learning among food production enterprises but also motivated consumers to actively study ingredient lists. According to insights from the China Food Exhibition, the shift from simply “eating enough” to “eating well” and “eating healthily” is reflected in the popularity of sugar-free drinks and low-salt, low-fat foods. This trend highlights consumers' strict demands on ingredient lists and their pursuit of a healthy lifestyle.

The “ingredient list revolution” is an inevitable choice for market development and a trend of the times that responds to the awakening of consumer health consciousness and the upgrading of quality demands. Faced with this wave, food companies can only stand out in competition by keeping pace with the trend, innovating formulas, and launching products with “simpler ingredient lists.” In doing so, they can create a healthy eating environment for consumers and earn market trust.

However, the “ingredient list revolution” cannot be achieved overnight. Whether it is increasing natural ingredients or reducing additives, the bottom line must be to ensure food safety. Innovation based on safety is the real breakthrough. It should be clear that food additives are not “monsters.” Under national standard regulations, some controversial additives are gradually being replaced by natural and safe alternatives, and the production and use of additives are becoming more standardized.

To promote the “ingredient list revolution,” consumers, enterprises, and regulatory authorities must work together. Consumers need to actively learn relevant knowledge, understand the properties and functions of common food additives, make rational choices about food, and actively participate in market supervision. They should report any issues to the relevant departments in a timely manner. While enterprises increase their research and innovation efforts to launch new products, they must also actively fulfill their social responsibilities and provide consumers with healthy and high-quality products. Regulatory authorities, on the other hand, need to strictly monitor ingredient list labeling, strengthen guidance for enterprises, and provide consumer education to ensure the public's right to know.

Carrying the consumers' expectations for health, the “hidden corner” of the ingredient list on food packaging is gradually becoming the “main battlefield” of industry transformation. All parties need to actively embrace change and work together to promote the sustainable development of the food industry.

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Source: Consumer Daily Net

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