Taiwan: Draft Amendment on Milk and Liquid Milk Product Labeling

Taiwan issued a new WTO notification (G/TBT/N/TPKM/541) on June 7, 2024, amending the labeling regulations for liquid milk, which will mainly impact the nomenclature of liquid milk from the United States. Currently, liquid milk from the United States can be labeled as "fresh milk" if it complies with CNS regulation. However, according to the draft amendment, starting July 2025, if the product is heated at appropriate temperatures and times, and filled in near-aseptic conditions in a highly sanitized environment, with a shelf life exceeding 30 days, it shall be labeled as "Extended Shelf-Life (fresh) milk," "ESL (fresh) milk," or similar terms. After the amendment announcement, local groups strongly objected, arguing that besides adding ESL, the term “fresh” should not be used. The due date for WTO notification comments is August 6, 2024. According to Taiwan custom database, the United States exported $43 million USD liquid milk (under the HS code subject to WTO liquid milk TRQ) to Taiwan in 2023.