Helps Maintain Joint Health” Proposed for Inclusion in Health Food Function Directory

"On April 24, 2025, China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) released a draft proposal to include “Helps Maintain Joint Health” as a recognized health function claim for health food products. This marks the first new function proposed since the release of the Implementation Rules for Technical Evaluation of New Functions and Products of Health Foods (Trial).​ The proposed claim encompasses benefits such as alleviating joint pain and stiffness, reducing swelling, and supporting cartilage and bone joint health. Scientific consensus globally supports these claims, with applications in dietary supplements and functional foods.​ The draft also introduces technical guidelines for evaluating this function, emphasizing human clinical trials as the primary evidence, supplemented by animal studies to explore mechanisms. Applicants can follow recommended testing protocols or propose innovative research methods, subject to expert review.​ This initiative aims to streamline the approval process for new health food functions, encourage innovation, and enhance the quality of health food products, particularly benefiting the aging population. Public comments are invited to refine the proposal before finalization."