China launches first batch of eco edible sea salt products in Binhai

The launch event for eco edible sea salt products. [Photo/WeChat account: tjbhxqfb]

The first batch of eco edible sea salt products in China was launched in Binhai New Area in Tianjin on Jan 10. The release marks a major step forward for China's salt industry, advancing toward a higher-end, eco-friendly, and standardized development path.

As the world's largest salt producer, China has long faced a market for edible salt crowded with products of varying quality. The launch of eco edible sea salt tackles this at the institutional level. As Tang Na, deputy director of the National Salt Industry Standardization Technical Committee, explains, it is produced under strict group standards that mandate high-quality seawater, eco-friendly processes, stringent pollutant controls, and guaranteed natural mineral content — offering consumers a clear and credible choice.

The annual certified production of eco edible sea salt nationwide is approximately 244,700 metric tons, accounting for less than 2 percent of China's total annual edible salt demand. This underscores its scarcity. To ensure consistent quality and standards and prevent market speculation, the Eco Edible Sea Salt Industry Alliance has implemented unified pricing and standardized core packaging for the products, with individual enterprise brands displayed only in designated areas.

Binhai New Area was chosen as the launch site due to its strong industrial foundation and innovative capacity. As an important birthplace of China's sea salt industry, the area is home to historic production sites like the Hangu Salt Field. Furthermore, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, a key player in technological innovation for the salt industry, led the development of relevant group standards for eco edible sea salt.