In the era of national standards, what will the "hard box" of prepared dishes look like?

CNR Dongguan, March 19 — (Reporter Xu Beier) Two thousand years ago, Chu people sold pearls, and because of the “Mulan Cabinet,” Zheng people “bought the box and returned the pearl.” At that time, it was a humorous story about sacrificing the essence for trivialities.

Two thousand years later, as China’s prepared food industry is about to enter a new era of national standards without additives and preservatives, that small “box” — packaging — has moved from behind the scenes to the forefront, becoming the “last mile hard box” that determines how far a “pearl” can go and how much it can sell for.

In February this year, the National Health Commission released the draft of the “Food Safety National Standard for Prepared Dishes,” sparking widespread discussion. “No preservatives added,” “Shelf life no more than 12 months,” “Packaging must be heat-resistant and microwaveable”… These strict red lines mark the watershed for the industry from “wild growth” to “compliant development.”

When preservatives are “removed” from ingredient lists and flavor retention becomes a technical challenge, packaging — once seen as a cost factor — has become the “golden key” to solving national standard difficulties.

Who can take on this “great fortune”? Who can systematically solve the packaging challenges under the new national standards?

On April 10, in Houjie, Dongguan, at the 10th China International Food and Ingredients Expo and the 4th China International Prepared Food Industry Expo (hereinafter referred to as “2026 Food Expo & Prep Food Expo”), a “High-Quality Development Industry Conference on Prepared Food Packaging,” guided by the Prepared Food Expo Organizing Committee and jointly advocated by Guangdong Guangqing Holdings Group Co., Ltd. and industry IP “Lao Ruan Talks Cuisine,” was held to address these questions together.

Strong Alliance: From “Solo Battles” to “Collaborative Warfare”

This conference rejected empty talk and focused directly on pain points, aiming to systematically solve how packaging can upgrade the industry: how material innovation can lock in “pot aroma” without preservatives; how warm design can enable brand premium for prepared food gift boxes; how eco-friendly new materials can win future markets.

Recognizing the urgency of supply chain collaboration, the organizer — Guangqing Group, a leader in packaging solutions — will join forces with industry observer “Lao Ruan Talks Cuisine” to promote an industry awakening.

As a long-term partner of well-known brands like Guangzhou Restaurant, Taotaoju, and Lianxianglou, Guangqing Group offers not just packaging but a one-stop full-chain service from creative design to production. At this conference, under the initiative of Guangqing Group and leading packaging industry partners, two major initiatives will be launched:

• Issuance of the “Declaration on High-Quality Development of Packaging Industry under the New National Standard”;

• Formal feasibility study of establishing the “China Prepared Food Packaging Industry Alliance.”

This means that material R&D, equipment manufacturing, and creative design will move away from “solo battles” and address industry-wide common challenges through “collaborative warfare.”

Meeting in Dongguan: On the “National Level” Stage, Walking with Industry Disruptors

In April, Dongguan is blooming with flowers. As a top event organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs’ Agricultural Trade Promotion Center, the 2026 “Food Expo & Prep Food Expo” is not only a platform for display and trade but also a leader in industry trends.

At the core of this event, the “High-Quality Development Industry Conference on Prepared Food Packaging” is undoubtedly the most anticipated “strategic move.” It features the most precise policy interpretations, practical technical discussions, and top-tier industry resources.