How much do you know about sports nutrition food?

How much do you know about sports nutrition food?

 

 

 

 

01 Overview of Sports Nutritional Foods

 

 

 

（1） Definition:

 

The definition of sports nutrition food in China's National Food Safety Standard General Principles for Sports Nutrition Food (GB 24154-2015) is as follows:

 

Food specially processed to meet the physiological and metabolic status, exercise ability, and special needs for certain nutrients of the sports population (referring to those who participate in physical exercise three or more times a week, each time lasting for 30 minutes or more, and each time with moderate or above exercise intensity).

Simply put, sports nutrition foods are specifically developed from the perspectives of sports science, sports safety, and physical health for people who enjoy sports, frequently engage in sports, and have a certain intensity and amount of exercise. Essentially, they belong to food rather than health products. Common foods include powders, sticks, and beverages.

 

Classification: GB 24154-2015 classifies sports nutritional foods based on characteristic nutrients and exercise items.

02 Technical requirements for sports nutrition food

 

 

 

 

The raw materials used in sports nutrition food should comply with corresponding standards and/or relevant regulations, and must not contain substances prohibited by the World Anti Doping Agency. GB 24154-2015 has clear regulations on the sensory requirements, technical indicators, pollutant limits, mycotoxin limits, microbial limits, and other aspects of sports nutrition food.

 

 

 

Sensory requirements: The color, taste, odor, tissue state, and compatibility of sports nutrition food should comply with the characteristics of the corresponding product, and there should be no foreign objects visible to normal vision.

 

 

 

Technical indicators

 

1. All types of products classified by characteristic nutrients must meet the requirements of the table below, and the proportion of high-quality protein in supplementary protein products should not be less than 50%.

03 Supervision of imported sports nutrition food

 

 

 

Sports nutrition food originated in European and American countries and has a history of over 30 years since its development in the 1980s. With diversified development, its application scenarios have become increasingly widespread. Sports nutrition food is still a relatively young field in China, and a considerable portion of its products still need to be imported.

 

Sports nutrition food is popular worldwide, with different standards and management systems in different countries. Products from other countries can only be imported into China if they meet the requirements of GB 24154-2015. When conducting on-site inspections of imported sports nutrition food, relevant customs departments focus on the following points:

 

 

 

#1 Product category:

 

According to technical indicators, the product is determined to belong to one of the categories of energy supplementation, energy control, protein supplementation, speed and strength, endurance, and post exercise recovery. If one of the six categories cannot be met, it does not meet China's national standards and will not be allowed to enter the country.

 

 

 

#2 Chinese labels

 

According to Article 97 of Chapter 6 of the Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, Imported pre packaged food and food additives should have Chinese labels; if a manual is required by law, it should also have a Chinese manual. The label and manual should comply with the provisions of this Law and other relevant laws and administrative regulations in China, as well as the requirements of national food safety standards, and should specify the origin of the food and the name, address, and contact information of domestic agents. Pre packaged food does not have Chinese labels, Chinese manuals, or Labels and instructions that do not comply with the provisions of this article shall not be imported

 

The Chinese label of sports nutrition food must comply with the requirements of the "National Food Safety Standard for Pre packaged Special Dietary Food Labels" (GB 13432-2013), and should indicate the following items:

In addition, GB 24154-2015 has the following special regulations on the labeling content of sports nutrition food:

 

(1) The label should indicate "sports nutrition food" and the classification of the product on the main display surface.

 

(2) If there is an unsuitable population, it should be identified in the label.

 

(3) For products with added creatine, the label should indicate "Not suitable for use by pregnant women, lactating women, children, and infants".

 

 

 

#3. Use of Food Additives and Nutritional Fortifiers

 

(1) The use of food additives in sports nutrition food can refer to the types and amounts of additives allowed in the same or similar food categories in GB 2760.

 

(2) The source of nutritional enhancer compounds in sports nutrition food should comply with the requirements of Appendix C of GB 14880.

 

(3) The quality specifications of food additives and nutritional fortifiers should comply with corresponding standards and/or relevant regulations.

 

 

 

How to Choose Imported Sports Nutritional Foods

 

 

 

 

When consumers choose sports nutrition food, it is not about the variety or price, but rather their actual needs. Factors such as physical condition, fitness purpose, and fitness frequency need to be considered. In recent years, imported sports nutrition food has been highly favored by the sports population, and the following points should be noted when choosing:

 

1. Try to choose legitimate supermarkets, stores, and online shopping platforms for purchasing, with guaranteed supply.

 

2. Look at the Chinese label. Pay special attention to the following points:

 

① Product category. Choose the appropriate category based on your actual situation and avoid blindly following the trend.

 

② Look at the ingredient list. Especially the three categories classified by sports should contain their characteristic components, namely speed and strength - creatine, endurance - vitamin B1 and B2, and post exercise recovery - peptides.

 

③ Nutrient composition table. Understand the content and NRV% of nutrients such as energy, protein, fat, carbohydrates, and sodium in the product, and choose according to your needs.

 

④ Method of consumption. Consume according to demand and quantity.

 

⑤ Production date and shelf life. Food that has exceeded its shelf life cannot be consumed and should not be purchased.

 

3. Look at the seal.

 

Pay attention to tight sealing and do not purchase products with leaked content or gas.

 

If necessary, you can request a copy of the "Entry Goods Inspection and Quarantine Certificate" issued by the customs from the merchant to verify whether the product name, country of origin, production date, shelf life, batch number, and other information are consistent.

 

 

 

A scientific, healthy, and reasonable daily diet is the foundation of everything, with sports and nutritional foods as supplements. The two cannot be reversed. Consumers should choose sports nutrition foods that comply with Chinese laws, regulations, and standards according to their needs, and follow the consumption methods indicated on the labels. At the same time, they should pay attention to consumption taboos to provide dietary protection for achieving the best exercise results.