Sri Lanka Herbal Medicine

Herbal Medicines

It's amazing just how many herbal treatments and cures there are in Sri Lanka. Almost every herb, vegetable and fruit has a wide variety of medicinal properties. In short, there's a cure for every ailment if you know herbs well enough. Herbal medications are also becoming popular exports in Sri Lanka. Heart Seed One of the commonest herbs with an array of medicinal uses is 'Welpenela'. Its botanical term is Cardiospermum halicacabum and some of its other names are heart seed, black liquorice and balloon vine. It is found aplenty in markets and growing in many a home garden. This small and delicate wiry climber can be used to treat piles, rheumatism, nervous disorders and chronic bronchitis. Its power lies mostly in its leaves which can also be used as a poultice for skin diseases. A paste of the leaves is a dressing for sores and wounds. Crushed leaves can also be inhaled to relieve headaches and the seeds used to relieve fever and body aches.
 Karapincha
A popular flavouring leaf that is used widely in Sri Lankan curries known as 'karapincha' is also very medicinal. The leaves, roots, bark, stalk and flowers can be either boiled or powdered together to relieve any type of stomach disorder.
 Bittergourd
The leaves of the Bittergourd plant or 'karavila' can be crushed and the juice massaged into the scalp for a good growth of hair and to help prevent hair loss. The 'karavila' fruit, bitter as it is, increases the flow of milk in nursing mothers, when eaten in sufficient quantities.
 Kikirindiya
This is known as Eclipta prostrata botanically, and it is a herb used in many forms to cure various diseases. In Sanskrit it is known as 'kasaraja' which refers to growth of the hair. This herb prevents the hair from becoming prematurely grey. Diseases of the skin can also be cured through this herb.
 Cucumber
Cucumber, popular in salads, is a herb which is known to keep the kidneys healthy. Cucumber seeds when roasted, powdered and made into a coffee-like drink have been known to relieve colic. Thin slices of cucumber placed on tired eyes is supposed to have a soothing effect.
 Pomegranate
For sore eyes, the flowers of the pomegranate (Punica granatum) tree known as 'delun' can give great relief. The buds of the tree are boiled and the infusion given to stop chronic diarrhoea especially in children. The same infusion also relieves bronchitis. Bleeding from the nose can be checked by powdering the flowers of the pomegranate tree and applying it on the bleeding area.
 Jak
 The intriguing jak fruit is extremely nutritious and medicinal. Jak (Artocarpus reterophyllus) comes in two varieties in Sri Lanka. They are soft or 'vala' and hard or 'waraka'. The latter is more popular than the soft. The bark of the jak tree is used mainly for medicinal purposes including sprains and fractures.
Tender jak which is known as 'polos', can be made into a delicious curry and, in the diet of ancient Lankan royalty this was a dish that was rarely absent. Nursing mothers are given 'polos' and boiled jak to increase milk. 'Polos' curry also helps those recovering from diarrhoea, because 'vala' or the soft ripe jak is a laxative which can be eaten as it is. It helps clear the bowels and assists in digestion. It also helps relieve bronchitis when kept in bees honey and given to the patient each morning. 'Waraka' or the hard jak variety is beneficial to diabetic patients.
 The leaves are dried, powdered and made into a coffee-like drink to be given to diabetics. According to an ancient recipe the ripe jak leaves are pounded and fried in gingili (sesame) oil and given to the diabetic patient each day. It is hard to imagine that such a simple recipe can be a cure for diabetes but the fact that it has been mentioned often in ancient books is proof of its efficacy.
 Mango
The delicious mango (Mangitera indica) too has its share of medicinal properties. All parts of the tree can be used medicinally. Tender leaves dried and powdered are given for diarrhoea and diabetes. The smoke from the burning leaves can be inhaled for the relief of throat disorders and hiccups. The ash is an effective remedy for burns. And to remove warts on eyelids, the midrib of the mango leaves is burnt and the ash applied on the wart.
 The juice of the mango tree bark has a remarkable effect on the mucus membrane. It can be given as a medicine to stop the discharge of mucus from the uterus, bowels and intestines. Bleeding piles and dysentery can be cured by the juice in addition to the white of an egg and a pinch of opium. The green skin of the raw fruit is dried and powdered and two teaspoons of this powder in half a cup of cow's milk with a teaspoonful of bees honey is another tonic for dysentery and piles. Meanwhile, the white juice that oozes near the stem when unripe mangoes are plucked, can be mixed with lime and applied as a remedy for skin infections or diseases.
Timbiri
An excellent gargle for sore throats is the fruit juice of the 'timbiri'. Known botanically as Diospyris malabarcia, the tree of this fruit is found commonly in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. The ripe fruit is said to contain a high quantity of tannin contained in a gummy juice which is also useful in diarrhoea and internal haemorrhage. A poultice of the bark helps in boils and tumours while a decoction of the bark mixed with ghee is a soothing remedy for burns. A powder of the root bark can be prepared in a manner similar to coffee, which helps cure coughs.
 Coral Tree
For an earache 'erabadu' (Erythrina variegeta) and also known as Coral Tree is highly recommended. The juice of the leaves of this decorative tree with brilliant scarlet flowers, can be gently applied in drop form to the ears for relief. The fresh juice of the leaves mixed with a bit of bees honey is a good remedy for tapeworm, threadworm and roundworm and the dosage is one teaspoon once a day. A preventive against worms is the cooking of tender leaves with coconut milk. The juice of the leaves can also be applied to the gums to relieve toothache. A poultice of the leaves can be applied to joints of the body for relief from rheumatic pains.
 Nelli
 Another important fruit-medicine is the 'nelli'. This is a small, green sour fruit with a very high quantity of vitamin C. There is hardly any disease for which the 'nelli' is not used either singly or in combination with other herbs.
 The 'nelli' is given to strengthen the retina and improves weak and defective vision. If dried 'nelli' is soaked overnight and the juice extracted and drunk each morning, it makes a good laxative. Leaves boiled and applied on skin eruptions is said to be beneficial. The ground leaves are said to cure eczema. Two tablespoons of 'nelli' mixed with a tablespoon of bees honey, taken regularly each morning helps reduce bleeding piles, while raw 'nelli', sour as it may be, improves complexion. Half a cup of 'nelli' juice twice a week helps keep bowel movements in order.
 These are medicinal properties of just a few of the many invaluable plants found in Sri Lanka. For every ailment there is probably a plant cure with none of the side-effects that strong synthetically processed drugs on the market have. In ancient Sri Lanka such remedies were commonly and effectively used although down the ages many of these medicinal remedies have become extinct.
WWW Virtual Library Sri Lanka

The anti-ageing fruit of high nutritious and therapeutic value:

The popular saying goes 'An apple a day keeps the doctor away' but I was told 'A few nellies a day will not only keep the doctor away but also keep the beauticians and cosmetics away'. This sounded very interesting. I asked the doctor to go on as I waited eagerly to hear what he had to say.

Nelli is an anti ageing fruit apart from its high nutritious and therapeutic value. Very few people are aware of this. If one consumes nelli daily they need not visit the beautician or pick up a wide range of cosmetics and apply it on a daily basis. We , Sri Lankans are so near and yet so far from making best use of the natural goodies we possess, we prefer going in for artificial products.'

Freely available in Sri Lanka as well as in India, Envlic Myrobalan, termed nelli in Sinhala and Nellika in Tamil is connected with God Vishnu and Hinduism and the use of the fruit is very popular in India.

According to Hinduism, it is a fruit that is always seen in the hand of Hindus says Dr. Vajira P.S. Seneviratne, visiting lecturer of the Moratuwa University cum pharmaceutical consultant, a multidisciplinary academic with integrated knowledge of Ayurveda and modern Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Nelli has the richest source of natural vitamin C , 25,000 parts per million ,incomparable to any other fruit. A very powerful antioxidant in our bodies, together with other therapeutic values , nelli could be used to obtain relief and cures.

Common cold and even fatal diseases such as cancer could be controlled with the daily intake of nelli, Dr Seneviratne explained.

Thus, the common practice of buying high dosages of Vitamin C tablets over the counters is not a necessity if one could resort to getting accustomed to a natural source which is more nutritious and hassle free in the long run. All it takes is getting habituated with eating the fruit .

A fruit with a mixed taste which gives you goose pimples when consumed, nelli is said to contain six tastes sour, sweet, salty, bitter, astringent and pungent-which makes it difficult to distinguish its exact taste if one is to describe it. It is the medicinal variety nelli, the smaller fruit, which is sour while the larger, fleshier one is sweeter, Dr Seneviratne explained.

In the modern world due to various factors, environmental and dietary, various toxins are formed and accumulated in our bodies.These free radicals in turn damage our vital organs and cells which accelerates degeneration and early decay resulting in premature ageing.

Vitamins highest in Ascorbic acids such as nelli, having 3,000-27,000 parts per million,enriched with amino acids helps slow down the ageing process to a great extent in addition to its other benefits, Dr Seneviratne added.

Nelli is a good nutritional fruit. Out of 20 vitamins it contains 17 and is rich in Betacarotin, Thiamin and Niacin, carbohydrates, sucrose, is a starch complex and is soluble and insoluble fibre, important in the management of diabetes in particular too.

It has proved to be highly nourishing for head ailments, control of dandruff and growth of hair too.It has proved to be a good nutrient which is known for its properties of combating oral diseases and tooth and gum diseases.

Proven to be a source of management of gastritis, nelli could also be consumed in the form of fruit juices, salads and sambols for variety. So, remember the saying a nelli a day is a natural remedy to chasing your cares away.

rosanne@sundayobserver.lk 

Wood Apple

Nutrition

A hundred gm of fruit pulp contains 31 gm of carbohydrate and two gm of protein, which adds up to nearly 140 calories. The ripe fruit is rich in beta-carotene, a precursor of Vitamin A; it also contains significant quantities of the B vitamins thiamine and riboflavin, and small amounts of Vitamin C

The Wood Apple is a fruit bearing tree native to the Indian sub-continent – Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka. The Wood Apple is a hard round fruit with a sweet/sour fragrant pulp.

Nutritional Value of Wood Apple
A hundred gm of fruit pulp contains 31 gm of carbohydrate and two gm of protein, which adds up to nearly 140 calories. The ripe fruit is rich in beta-carotene, a precursor of Vitamin A; it also contains significant quantities of the B vitamins thiamine and riboflavin, and small amounts of Vitamin C. Wood apple is rich in oxalic, malic, citric acid and a concentrated tannic acid. The leaves produce a volatile oil.

Health Benefits of Wood Apple

1. Wood Apple ensures regular smooth bowel habits.
2. Regualar intake of wood apple by women drastically reduces breast cancer.
3. Wood Apple cures the infertility problems in women as it is proved to increase the progesterone hormone levels.<
4. Approximately 90 grams of the sap of the fresh bark, 2 corns of pepper, a few drops of pure cow`s ghee and a dessertspoon of honey, forestalls any post-partum snags. It is had twice everyday, just after childbirth.
5. It helps in the treatment of Urticaria. ( Urticaria is a skin disease)
6. The fully ripen flesh of wood apple cures stomach upset in children.

How to eat wood apple:Break the outer pericarp by hitting it with a hammer.Scoop the flesh into a bowl. Add sugar to it and mix it well into a paste.The delicious wood apple is ready to be tasted.

Spiritual Values of the Wood Apple(Bael):
The Yajur Veda mentions the bael tree, but the Charaka Samhita, an Ayurveda treatise from the 1st millennium BC, was the first book to describe its medicinal properties. Hindu scriptures abound in references to the bael tree and its leaves. The devotees of Lord Shiva commonly offer bael leaves to the deity, especially on Shivaratri; this probably explains why bael trees are so common near temples. Hindus also believe that ghosts live on bael trees. Another belief associates its leaves to goddess Lakshmi.

Wood apple names in different Languages
English: Wood Apple, Elephant Apple, Monkey Fruit or Curd Fruit.
Odia: Kaitha
Kannada: Belada Hannu / Byalada Hannu
Telugu: Vellaga Pandu(వెలగ పండు), mArEDu panDu(మారేడు పండు)
Tamil: Vilam Palam (விளாம் பழம்)
Bengali: Koth Bel (কৎ বেল)
Hindi: Kaitha (कैथा) or Kath Bel.
Gujarati: Kothu.
Sinhalese: Divul.
Marathi: KavaTH (कवठ).

Treacle - Kithul Pani - Effects

EFFECT OF CARYOTA URENS L. (KITHUL) TREACLE ON SERUM LIPID PARAMETERS OF NORMAL RATS

P. RANASINGHE1, G.A.S. PREMAKUMARA1, C. D. WIJAYARATHNA2, W.D. RATNASOORIYA3

1HERBAL TECHNOLOGY SECTION, INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE

2DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY, FACULTY OF SCIENCE, UNIVERSITY OF COLOMB,

3DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY, FACULTY OF SCIENCE, UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBO

Abstract

Traditionally, in Sri Lanka, treacle prepared from Caryota urens L. (Kithul) sap has been used as a sweetener for many centuries and it has been used in sweet foods, drinks, confectionary and some medicinal preparations such as Arista. In recent studies we found that C. urens treacle posses anti-oxidant and anti-hyperglycemic properties as claimed in Sri Lankan ethanomedicine. Antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemic activities of natural products have shown to correlate with serum lipid profile of animal models. Therefore, in this study, we examined the effect of C.urens treacle on serum lipid profile using normal rats.

Two groups of adult male Wister rats were selected (8 rats/group) and one group was supplied daily with a standard diet containing 56% sucrose (control) while the other group was supplied with a standard diet containing 56% C.urens treacle (treatment) for 28 consecutive days. Rats were fasted overnight on day 1 and blood was collected from the tail and serum separated. Total Cholesterol (TC), High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and Triglyceride (TG) contents in serum were estimated using Randox test kits and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) content was calculated using Friedewald equation.

Animals supplied with a diet containing treacle showed significantly (P<0.05) lower TG (53.15± 3.62 mg/dl), LDL (20.12 ± 3.06 mg/dl) and athero index (0.50 ± 0.08) compared to control (TG; 67.35 ± 5.45 mg/dl, LDL; 29.76 ± 3.05 mg/dl and athero index 1.05 ± 0.11). Further treacle diet showed significant (P<0.05) increase in good lipid parameters such as HDL (65.36 ± 4.80 mg/dl) and HDL/TC ratio (67.56 ± 3.44 %) compared to control (HDL; 43.96 ± 3.74 mg/ml and HDL/TC ratio 49.63 ± 2.51 %). However, total cholesterol content in treacle diet (96.11 ± 2.84 mg/ml) and control diet groups (87.89 ±4.13 mg/dl) did not significantly differ (P>0.05).

According to the results, it can be concluded that C. urens treacle has a significant beneficial effect on serum lipid profile over white sugar (sucrose) as a sweetener.

1. Introduction

Traditionally, in Sri Lanka, treacle prepared from Caryota urens L. (Kithul) sap has been used as a sweetener for many centuries and it has been used to prepare a variety of sweet foods, drinks and some medicinal preparations such as arista. In Sri Lankan ethanomedicine it is claimed to posses health benefits such as anti-ageing and anti-diabetic but those have not scientifically tested. . In recent studies we found that C. urens treacle posses anti-oxidant and anti-hyperglycemic properties. Antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemic activities of natural products have shown correlation with serum lipid profile therefore in this study, we examined the effect of C.urens treacle on serum lipid profile using normal rats.

2. Methods and Materials

Sample: Authentic treacle sample (5 kg bulk) prepared at Kithul treacle processing center at Rojasangama, Kotmale was used for this study.

Animals: Adult male Wister rats obtained from Medical Research Institute, Colombo 08, Sri Lanka were used. The animals were maintained under standard laboratory conditions (12-h light/dark cycle, 25±2 oC and humidity 50 – 65%) and were fed with commercial diet (Master Feed Ltd., Colombo, Sri Lanka) for 2 weeks before start the experiment.

Diets: A standard diet was made having following composition (in weight %) protein, 10; oil, 2.5; fiber, 5.0; mineral, 2.5; methionine, 0.2; starch, 10; and sucrose 56. In treatment diet, sucrose content of the standard diet was substitute with C. urens treacle. Both standard and treacle added diets were prepared dried in oven at 50 oC until the moisture content reached to 14 – 13.5 %. Then two diets were packed separately in polythene bags (40 g/bag) and stored in -20 oC until use.

Experiment design: After 14 days of acclimatization, rats were randomly divided into two groups (8 rats/group) and one group was supplied daily with 40 g of standard diet and other group with 40 g of treacle added diet for 28 consecutive days. Tap water was provided to both groups. Daily food intake and body weight gain (weekly) were recorded during the experiment. On the day 1 post treatment, rats were fasted for 14 h and blood was collected from tail vain under ether anesthesia under aseptic conditions. The collected blood samples were allowed to clot at 25±2 oC for 15 minutes and serum was separated by centrifuging at 6,000 rpm for 5 minutes at 4 oC. Total cholesterol, high density lipoproteins and triglyceride content in serum were estimated using Randox test kits. LDL content was calculated using Friedewald equation [1].

Data analysis: Data were analyzed using GLM procedure in SAS 6.12 version and mean separation was done using Duncan‘s Multiple Range Test

3. Results

Daily food intake and total body weight gain did not show significant (P>0.05) difference between treatment (25.0±1.6 & 72.8±10.6 g respectively) and control (24.0±2.4 & 65.6±12.7 g respectively) groups. The results of serum lipid profile of the two groups are given in Table 1.

Table1. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoproteins (LDL) contents of serum of control and treatment groups.

Animals supplied with a diet containing treacle showed significantly (p<0.05) lower TG and atheroscierosis index compared to control (Table 1). Further treacle diet showed significant (p<0.05) increase in good lipid parameters such as HDL and HDL/TC ratio than control. However, total cholesterol content in treacle diet group and control group was not significantly different (Table 1).

4. Conclusion

According to the results, it can be concluded that C. urens treacle has significant beneficial effect on serum lipid profile over white sugar (sucrose) as a sweetener

References

[1] Friedewald W.T., Levy R. I. and Fredrickson D. S. ( 1972). “Estimation of the concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in plasma, without use of the preparative ultracentrifuge”. Clinical Chemistry 18 (6): 499–502.

http://www.cmb.ac.lk/annual-research-symposium/annual-research-symposium-science/effect-of-caryota-urens-l-kithul-treacle-on-serum-lipid-parameters-of-normal-rats/

Create Competitive Disruption Across Eight Dimensions

Every year I travel down to Cali, Colombia to talk about "service innovation." I spend a week with a group of young managers from places like Colgate-Palmolive and Cadbury Schweppes, exploring the anatomy of great service experiences. And every time I go someone tells me, "You have GOT to have dinner at Andres Carne de Res." This restaurant, they say, is unlike any other you have experienced. But no one could tell me WHY the experience is so unique. And because my recent trips to Colombia never coincided with Andres's hours (the restaurant is only open Thursday through Sunday) I left home still wondering what all the fuss was about.

Last week, while in Colombia delivering a workshop for HP, I finally got my chance to confirm that Andres Carne de Res really is unlike any other restaurant I have experienced. What started out feeling like the Twilight Zone--we were accosted by a perverted doorman and then three loud maids (read more below)--evolved into the most unique dining experience I have ever known. I'm going to break down the restaurant's strategy using the same framework I use to teach my "service innovation" class--the "8 Ps."

The 8-Ps framework says that you want to look for disruptive innovations (i.e., for innovations that will differentiate you and that your competitors will choose not to copy) across eight dimensions: product, price, place, promotion, position, processes, people, and physical experience. Most breakthrough companies I study are able to hit three or four of these "Ps." Andres hits them all.

1. Product: Lets start with the basics. Andres Carne de Res offers a long menu of creative dishes. We started with chunks of pork skin ("chicharrones") served on a long, flat, wooden bowl with a side of cilantro guacamole dipping sauce. Local beers are served with a paper yellow butterfly pasted to their bottle necks. Wine is served in bottles individually hand-painted in bright colors by local artists.

2. Price refers not just to actual prices, but also to how they are communicated and how customers pay. When we asked for the menu our server (more gender friendly than "waiter") gave us a metal case about the size of shirt box. She showed me that inside was a scroll, and cranking the bottom or top handle rolled a menu up or down. It felt like an ancient Egyptian Web site that you scrolled down to see offerings and prices.

3. Place: Andres Carne de Res is nearly 30 years old, it is packed every night it's open, and people talk about it from all over the world, but the restaurant has only two locations. One is in a distant suburb, a farm really, 30 minutes outside of Bogota. Two years ago they opened their second location: a four-story maze in one of Bogota's cheekiest shopping districts. I went to this newer location to avoid a long trip.

4. Promotion: As far as I can tell, Andres does none. They rely exclusively on word-of-mouth. That is what got me there and, judging from the packed tables and dance floors, the no-promotion strategy is serving Andres just fine.

5. Position: It's hard to fit Andres into a box. The restaurant felt somewhat like an original Hard Rock Café, a quirky space filled with interesting pieces of art and paraphernalia. But it is more than a theme restaurant because it has three dance floors, a stage, a piano, and a DJ, and actors interrupt your meal every now and then, playing funny improve scenes, which make you think of a funky Disney resort.

6. Processes: Behind the scenes this multi-sensory experience is supported by an uncommon orchestration. I could not figure out how they engineered it, but we must have been helped over the evening by at least seven different people who passed us off as seamlessly as the Brazilian World Cup team passes around a ball. In college, I spent three years waiting tables and came to understand that the best way to guarantee a seamless experience is to dedicate one server to each table. Andres proves this dogma wrong.

7. People: When we walked through the restaurant's door I was a bit surprised by the characters hanging out trying to get in. One, wearing a bandana, thin mustache, and a suit that looked something like a security guard's uniform, was offering in a loud voice to pat down women visitors for weapons. At the stair landing, three women dressed as maids commented loudly that whoever had ironed my shirt did a terrible job and offered to take care of it for me. About a third of Andres' 1,000 or so employees seem to be actors. Their job is simply to play interesting characters and entertain the guests all night.

8. Physical experience: Finally, Andres has created a physical experience that I cannot truly describe. I lack the skill to give it justice with my words. There were fresh cut roses hanging on strings above our heads, butterfly-shaped confetti fell from the sky, industrial metal staircases led you from "hell" up to "purgatory" then to "heaven" (a huge fireplace sat on a landing between hell and purgatory and a 10-foot tall bust of Jesus hung from the Heaven floor [ceiling?]). As the DJ's music displaced the eating, as diners abandoned tables for dance floors, the restaurant evolved, revealing layers and layers of intricate surprises.

The case of Andres Carne de Res suggests that you consider at least two things. First, of course, get yourself to Bogota and experience it for yourself. Second, look for what you can do across all eight dimensions to design a truly unparalleled, disruptive customer experience.

What are you doing now that (a) customers love but (b) competitors will not copy in:

1. Your product
2. How to price, communicate prices, and collect payment?
3. How you promote?
4. How to distribute (place)?
5. Where you position yourself relative to competitors?
6. Your processes?
7. The people you hire and inspire?
8. The physical experience you create?

http://www.fastcompany.com/1670867/create-competitive-disruption-across-eight-dimensions

Food Import useful infor Website

http://marketingtochina.com/china-imported-food-product-market/

Food and Beverage to China-Australian Experience

FOOD AND BEVERAGE TO CHINA

Industry standards

All import foodstuffs and beverages are subject to inspections by the China Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (CIQ). Quarantine and Inspection in China can be complicated and challenging, so be prepared and do not underestimate the cost, documentation and time required. Accessing up-to-date information on quarantine and customs requirements such as labelling and packaging requirements, food standards and allowable ingredient listings can be challenging.

All imported pre-packaged food must be labelled in both English and Chinese (simplified Chinese as used in mainland China). The updated general standard for the labelling of pre-packaged food (GB7718-2011) is applied to the labelling of all pre-packaged foods directly or indirectly offered to consumers. The following is the example of minimum information to be listed:

• Standard name of foodstuffs
• List of ingredients
• Quantitative labelling of ingredients (percentage of ingredient)
• Net weight and configuration
• Name, address and contact info of manufacturer and local agent or distributor
• Production date, use by date and guidance for storing
• Generic name of the food additives as used in the national standard
• Quality grade
• Food production license number
• Code of the product standard
• Special contents if there are any (eg. irradiated food, genetically modified, nutrition list for baby food or diet food)

For details about wine export from Australia to China, please check the Wine Australia website regarding compliance guidance.

Please note that CIQ requirements often change and it is encouraged that exporters re-confirm requirements for labelling and other product certifications with its importers in China or relevant departments prior to dispatch of goods for export.

China Food safety law

China's current food safety law was adopted on 28 February 2009 and was made effective from 1 June 2009. The law has been enacted to improve food safety in China through stricter monitoring and supervision, tougher safety standards, recall of substandard products and severe punishment of offenders. The new laws are applicable to both imported and domestically produced food and cover production and trading of food and food additives; packing materials, vessels, detergents and disinfectants for food and equipment used in food production; food additives and food-related products used by food producers and traders; and safety management of food, food additives and food related products.

Under the Food Safety Law, all imported food products, food additives and food-related products are subject to the national food safety standards of China. No pre-packaged foods may be imported into China without appropriate Chinese labels.

All foreign food distributors and producers that import food products into China are required to register with the state entry-exit inspection and quarantine authorities. Importers must record the foods imported and distributed in China, and must keep the records for at least two years.

For those ingredients or components not registered in China, it is required that applications to CIQ and the ingredients are registered as new-to-China components. Any food or food ingredient/component that has had an import history prior to the new Food Safety Law will be allowed entry even if there is no Chinese standard.

Update on Organic Food to China

Chinese certification systems and foreign organic certification systems have not been mutually recognized. Organic products that have not been certified by China, or products that have only been certified by an overseas organic certifying body, must not be labelled as “organic” or “in-conversion to organic” or other misleading labelling terms purporting to be organic.

In order to ensure the quality of imported organic products and to reinforce the regulation on organic produce, Chinese authorities have advised they will verify consignments in accordance with the Regulation on Certification and Accreditation and the Administrative Measures on Organic Product Certification.

Chinese Import Procedures

1. In the event that imported products are declared as organic, or imported products are found at inspection to be labeled as “organic” on their packages, labels, instructions, or promotion materials; import verification shall apply which includes:
   
   1. verification of the certificate and logo;
   2. consistency evaluation between the product and its label;
   3. determination of whether the product logo used is within the product scope;
   4. for single and multiple entries, verification of the quantity identified on the certificate; and
   5. determination of compliance of any dual logo requirements.
2. A Chinese organic certificate can be verified using China’s Food and Agriculture Products Certification Information System.
3. Effective from October 2011, Chinese port officials will adopt a “case-by-case” reporting system based on the entry of organic products. In other words, each batch of imported organic products shall be reported to the Certification Supervision department within three days after they’ve had an inspection and quarantine. Information being reported to this department includes inspection number, product name and quantity (weight), trading value, organic certificate number, and the result of the inspection and quarantine. If imported organic products have not received a Chinese organic certificate, but display “organic” on product packages, labels, instructions, or promotion materials; it shall be reported as a “major issue”.
4. Organic products that have not been issued a Chinese organic certificate can be imported as conventional products after they have been modified and comply with the relevant regulations and standards of China. If modification is not possible, these products shall be destroyed or re-exported.

Update on Decree 55- New requirement for online registration of exporters from 1 October 2012

A new decree (Decree 55) has been issued by China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), as part of China’s Food Safety Law. Decree 55 comes into force on 1 October 2012.
Decree 55 requires Australian exporters and agents, as well as Chinese importers, to complete a web-based registration process. Decree 55 covers a wide range of products under the jurisdiction of the AQSIQ Food Safety Bureau, and includes prescribed food commodities such as meat and meat products, aquatic products, egg and egg products, dairy products, bee products, and other non-prescribed foods such as biscuits and beverages.

The registration form can be completed via the following portal: http://ire.eciq.cn/. When accessing this portal, at the base of the page, there are detailed instruction manuals for exporter and agents, as well as importers, under the section “User Manual”. Whilst the manuals contain detailed step-by-step instructions as to how to complete the registration process, it is currently only available in the Chinese language, therefore exporters are encouraged to work closely with their importers to provide the required information.

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Marketing your products and services

Market entry

There are a number of market entry strategies worth considering:

• Look for small or medium-sized private trading houses with subsidiaries or contacts in Hong Kong who can arrange payment in foreign currency and with a wide distribution network in your target local market. There are plenty of Chinese traders that have difficulties opening Lines of Credit (LC) and have a poor understanding of international trading practice.
• Don’t exclude all the large buyers, particularly those private trading houses who have been importing foods via Hong Kong traders. Some of them have started to buy directly from overseas suppliers and have gained basic experience in foreign trade. As a consequence it has become easier to do business with these companies directly.
• With the increase of business migrants from China to Australia, potential may exist for Australian suppliers to explore linkages in Australia with registered businesses in Australia which have linkages with China and are focused on Australia-China trade opportunities linked to their investment and migration to Australia.
• Ascertain that you are dealing with a reputable business partner but at the same time take full export insurance.

There are a number of actions that will help you succeed as a supplier:

• Get to know the market – Visit the market, establish a price range for your products, understand the sales and distribution channels, and know customers’ preferences.
• Proper due diligence – due to an increased incidence of scams in China, Australian companies are urged to investigate enquiries from China and consult with Austrade for assistance and referrals to professionals specialising in China due diligence checks and investigations.
• Find a local partner or agent – Choose slowly and carefully, look for a partner with a proven record, and ensure that the partner is able to handle import formalities.
• Test the market – Be aware that everything is different in China between each of the cities and provinces.
• Find your market segment and focus on it – Identify and develop a niche market. Try not to cater for the entire market by diversifying too early.
• Adapt your product to the local market – Adapt your product to local tastes, and make small adjustments to the product if necessary.
• Invest wisely in market promotion – Participate in industry specific trade shows, and make frequent visits to China.

With the rapid growth of Internet use and penetration in China, particularly in major urban centres, e-commerce is seen to offer considerable potential in China.

Although still niche, online trading is gradually expanding in China and there are a number of e-commerce sites and developers such as taobao and Yihaodian.

Please note that for online transactions of food and beverage products, all Chinese quarantine and customs requirements still apply. Online transactions are usually most popular among companies with products already entered into the Chinese market (ie. available in China) and are dispatched from a Chinese warehouse point to the buyer.www.Alibaba.com is a popular e-commerce site for supply and trade leads that is worth visiting:

Distribution channels

Distribution channels into China are complex and changing constantly. Exports into China can be handled through a number of intermediaries including import agent and distributors, wholesalers and sub-distributors, etc.

Only licensed importers can handle import procedures and have the right to import products. Most food distributors or traders do not hold import licenses and very few licensed importers act as distributors.

Different product categories require different import license and distribution channels. Currently, most food and beverage products are handled through Hong Kong traders. However, private trading houses in China have become increasingly more important for the importing of seafood, fruit and meat.

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Links and industry contacts

Food–related resources

China Agriculture Science – www.caass.org.cn

Government, business and trade resources for China

China Customs – www.customs.gov.cn
China Quarantine and Inspection – www.aqsiq.gov.cn
China Ministry of Agriculture – www.agri.gov.cn
China Ministry of Commerce – http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/

Media

Beverage – www.beveragechina.org.cn
China Dairy Information – www.chinadairy.net
Wine – www.winechina.com/EN

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Contact details

The Australian Trade Commission – Austrade – is the Australian Government’s trade and investment development agency.

Through Austrade’s network of offices in over 50 countries, we assist Australian companies to succeed in international business, attract productive foreign direct investment into Australia and promote Australia's education sector internationally.

For more information on how Austrade can assist you, contact us on:

Australia ph: 13 28 78 | Email: info@austrade.gov.au

A list of Austrade offices (in alphabetical order of country) is also available.

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