Getting your supplement label wrong in Taiwan can result in fines up to NT$3,000,000 and forced product recalls. At RTADV, we build TFDA-compliant label layouts into every packaging project, because reprinting due to labeling errors is one of the most expensive mistakes a supplement brand can make.
TFDA Mandatory Labeling Fields
Under 食品安全衛生管理法 (Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation) Articles 22 and 25, all packaged health supplements sold in Taiwan must display the following information in Chinese (Traditional Chinese specifically):
- 品名 (Product Name): Must accurately reflect the product’s nature. Cannot use exaggerated health claims.
- 內容物名稱 (Ingredients): Listed in descending order by weight. Food additives must use TFDA-approved Chinese nomenclature from the 食品添加物使用範圍及限量暨規格標準.
- 淨重或容量 (Net Weight/Volume): Must use metric units (grams, milliliters).
- 製造商或負責廠商 (Manufacturer/Responsible Company): Full company name, address, and telephone number registered in Taiwan.
- 有效日期 (Expiry Date): Format must follow TFDA guidelines—typically 西元年/月/日 or stamped clearly on packaging.
- 營養標示 (Nutrition Facts Panel): Must follow TFDA’s prescribed format including calories, protein, fat, saturated fat, trans fat, carbohydrates, sugars, sodium, and any claimed nutrients.
- 原產地 (Country of Origin): Required for all products.
- 過敏原 (Allergens): Mandatory declaration for products containing crustaceans, mango, peanuts, milk, eggs, nuts, sesame, wheat (gluten), soybeans, fish, and their products—per TFDA’s 2020 updated allergen list.
（中文補充：衛福部食藥署對食品標示有嚴格規定，特別注意營養標示格式須完全依照公告範本，字體大小也有最低要求。）
Font Size and Format Requirements
TFDA specifies minimum font sizes based on the maximum surface area of the packaging:
- Packages with surface area ≥ 250 cm²: minimum font height 2mm
- Packages with surface area < 250 cm²: minimum font height 2mm, but nutrition panel may use condensed format
At RTADV, we use a minimum of 7pt Chinese type for body text on our supplement packaging layouts, which comfortably exceeds TFDA minimums while remaining legible. Our design team maintains current TFDA nutrition panel templates to ensure table formatting matches official specifications exactly.
Domestic vs. Export Labeling Differences
Products manufactured in Taiwan for domestic sale require all information in Traditional Chinese. For export products, the labeling requirements depend on the destination market. However, if a product is sold in both Taiwan and overseas, the Taiwan-market version must have full Chinese labeling regardless of any English text also present.
For imported supplements entering Taiwan, TFDA requires that the Chinese label be applied before customs clearance—not at the retail point. This means brands importing finished goods must arrange for compliant labeling at the bonded warehouse or before shipment. At RTADV, we produce adhesive compliance labels (貼標) for imported supplement brands, typically at NT$2–5 per label with MOQ of 1,000 pieces.
（中文補充：進口保健食品須在報關前完成中文標示，許多外商品牌委託 RTADV 製作合規貼標，確保順利通關。）
Health Food Permit (健康食品認證) Labeling
Products that have obtained TFDA’s 健康食品 certification (衛部健食字號 or 衛部健食規字號) must display the permit number and the approved health claim text exactly as stated in the certification. No modifications to the approved claim language are permitted. The green 健康食品 logo must also appear on the principal display panel. According to TFDA registration records, approximately 500 products held active 健康食品 permits as of late 2024.
Common Labeling Violations
Based on TFDA’s published enforcement records and our experience at RTADV, the most common violations include:
- Missing or incorrect allergen declarations
- Nutrition panel format not matching TFDA template
- Unapproved health claims on non-certified products (e.g., “can lower cholesterol” without 健康食品 permit)
- Expiry date not clearly legible or using non-standard format
- Ingredient names not using TFDA-approved Chinese terminology
What RTADV Recommends
At RTADV, we recommend completing your label text and having it reviewed by a TFDA regulatory specialist before starting artwork. We provide a pre-print label checklist covering all mandatory fields, and our design team cross-references ingredient names against TFDA’s official food additive database. For imported products, plan your compliance label production at least 4 weeks before your shipment arrives in Keelung or Kaohsiung port to avoid warehouse storage charges. If you are applying for 健康食品 certification, do not finalize packaging until the permit is approved—the exact claim language often changes during the review process.
Ready to start? Submit your packaging inquiry or contact us via LINE @rtadv.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use English-only labels for supplements exported from Taiwan?
For products manufactured in Taiwan and exported without domestic sale, English-only labeling is acceptable—but the labeling must comply with the destination country’s regulations. At RTADV, we produce bilingual packaging for brands that sell in both Taiwan and overseas markets, with Chinese on the primary panel and English on a secondary panel or insert.
Q: How long does it take to get a TFDA label review?
TFDA does not pre-approve labels for general food supplements (only for 健康食品 certified products). However, brands can submit label drafts for advisory review through the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration’s consultation service. In our experience, responses take 10–15 working days. RTADV includes a TFDA compliance checklist review in our packaging design workflow at no additional charge.
Q: My product contains both domestic and imported ingredients—what origin do I list?
TFDA requires the country of origin of the final product (where substantial transformation occurred). If your supplement is manufactured and packaged in Taiwan using imported raw materials, the origin is Taiwan (台灣). The individual ingredient origins do not need to be listed unless required by specific TFDA regulations for certain ingredients.
Structure Selection Comparison
The table below summarizes common structure types, ideal use cases, and MOQ reminders:
| Structure Type | Ideal For | MOQ Reminder |
|---|---|---|
| Folding Carton / Flat Bag | Mass retail, mainstream volume | 500 units+ |
| Rigid Box / Top-Bottom / Handle Bag | Premium brands, gift boxes | 100-300 units+ |
| Drawer Box / Custom Structure | Multi-SKU sets, subscription boxes | 300 units+, higher tooling cost |
| Cylinder / Paper Can / 3D Bag | Cream, fragrance, gift items | 200 units+, requires specialist |
Material & Surface Finishing Comparison
Material determines the structural strength, texture, and cost. The comparison below covers common options:
| Material Type | Ideal For | Cost Note |
|---|---|---|
| C2S Art Paper 280-350 gsm | Mid-to-premium mainstream | Stable supply, most cost-friendly |
| Fine Art / Imported Paper 200-280 gsm | Premium brands, limited editions | Color matching requires sample, longer lead time |
| FSC Certified / Recycled Paper | ESG sustainable brand positioning | Certification fee, 500 units+ |
| Special Finishing (Foil / Spot UV / Embossing) | Premium gift boxes, brand flagship | Sample required, stacking processes add cost |
When This Guide Doesn’t Fit Your Project
This guide covers most starter brands and flexible inventory scenarios, but the following are not the right fit — consider alternative suppliers or materials to avoid procurement delays or budget overruns:
- Single SKU annual volume stable above 50,000 units (direct mass production unit cost is lower; small-batch sourcing is not cost-effective)
- Long-term reorders with unchanged specs (no need to resample for evergreen products; the proposal flow is overkill)
- Pure glass / plastic bottles / metal canister sourcing (paper packaging factory MOQ doesn’t fit; find material-specific specialists)
- Pure accessory sourcing (cards, stickers, manuals, corrugated cartons) — use accessory-specific channels
- 45+ day cross-border ocean freight (paper is moisture-sensitive; consider metal / plastic containers or special treatment)
近期留言