China's revised National Food Safety Standard for the General Rules of Prepackaged Food Labeling (GB 7718-2025) will officially take effect on March 16, 2027. With less than a year remaining before enforcement, food manufacturers should begin upgrading their labeling systems to ensure full compliance.

## New Challenges

• Both the production date and expiration date must be displayed in a clear YYYY-MM-DD format.

• Larger fonts must appear in a dedicated, prominent area and remain durable.

• Digital labels, including QR codes, are encouraged and must remain readable throughout the product life cycle.

• Major allergens must be clearly identified near the ingredient list.

## Why Traditional Marking Falls Short

Inkjet printing can fade or be altered. Labels may peel off during transportation or cold-chain logistics. Thermal transfer and embossing are limited by packaging materials and often struggle to deliver long-lasting, high-contrast marks.

## UV Laser Marking: A Future-Proof Solution

UV laser marking is a cold-processing, non-contact technology that creates permanent, high-precision marks without ink, adhesives, or chemical consumables.

Key advantages:

• Permanent, tamper-resistant marking

• Excellent readability and sharp contrast

• Compatible with plastic, paper, coated films, metal cans, glass, and more

• High-precision QR codes for reliable product traceability

• Environmentally friendly with minimal maintenance costs

As food labeling regulations continue to evolve, UV laser marking provides a reliable, compliant, and sustainable solution for modern food packaging.