The a2 Milk Company’s (a2MC) Chinese label infant formula has been re-registered by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR).
A2MC said its China label infant milk formula products have been formulated in line with China’s new GB standards. The SAMR registration runs until September 2027.
It expects production to begin later this month and the product entering the market in 1H24.
A2MC managing director and CEO David Bortolussi said, “We look forward to making our upgraded new China label IMF product available to parents and their infants and young children in China, building on the strong brand loyalty we have developed with Chinese families over the past decade as a pioneer and leader of the A2 protein category.
Synlait manufactures the a2MC formula (stages one, two, and three) for a2MC at its Dunsandel facility. The re-registration was pivotal for Synlait’s manufacturing and supply agreement with a2MC, with Synlait CEO Grant Watson saying it was a “significant milestone”.
“It is pivotal to the long-term success of our Advanced Nutrition business. Our shareholders, staff, customers, and farmer suppliers all benefit from the certainty of today’s re-registration and continued market access,” Watson said.
In April, Synlait's profit downgrade surprised a2MC. Synlait said the drop was due to a further drop in demand for its Advanced Nutrition products as well as higher financing and supply chain costs.
“Synlait and The a2 Milk Company have a long-standing and complementary partnership, and we look forward to continuing to support their China growth ambitions. The re-registration is a very important milestone and we have worked hard together to ensure its success,” Watson said.
Bertolussi said, “The approval provides a2MC with continued access to China’s substantial registered domestic infant milk formula market, which remains the key focus of our refreshed growth strategy.”
