Regulation
China Approves 5 New Food Additive Varieties and 16 Food-related Products (ChemLinked news)
Twenty-one new ingredients passed the safety evaluation and were granted approval, which included 5 new food additives (1 new variety of enzyme, 2 food additives with expanded application scope, 1 processing aid with expanded application scope, 1 nutritional fortifier with expanded application scope) and 16 new food-related products (3 new additives of FCM, 5 additives with expanded application scope, 8 varieties of resins). (Aug. 14, 2020)
China SAC Releases GB/T 10784-2020 Classification of Canned Food
Standardization Administration of China published a recommended standard GB/T Classification of Canned Food. This standard will take effect on Aug. 1, 2021. (Aug. 20, 2020)
Taiwan Revises Regulation on Food Labels and Promotion of Advertisement
The amendment of Regulations Governing of Criteria for the Label, Promotion and Advertisement of Foods and Food Products Identified as False, Exaggerated, Misleading or Having Medical Efficacy stipulates that food products should not use the term “health” on labels and promotion of advertisement, except for health food that has obtained permit according to Health Food Control Act. (Notice date: Aug. 4, 2020)
Taiwan Revises Standards for Specification, Scope, Application and Limitation of Food Additives
This revision changes the English name of Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic into Sodium Dihydrogen Phosphate, Cochineal Red A (New Coccin) into Ponceau 4R, Monosodium Fumarate into Sodium Fumarate. This revision also combines Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic and Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic (Anhydrous) as Sodium Dihydrogen Phosphate, Calcium Chloride Dehydrate and Calcium Chloride Hexahydrate as Calcium Chloride, Sodium Lactate and Sodium Lactate Solution as Sodium Lactate (solution). (Aug. 11, 2020)
Taiwan Revises Veterinary Drug Residue Limits in Food
Taiwan FDA released the revision of Veterinary Drug Residue Limits in Food. Residue limits of four veterinary drugs (amitraz, dicloxacillin, sulpyrine, toltrazuril) in meat and poultry were added. (Aug. 12, 2020)
These revisions came into effect immediately on the day of publication. (Aug. 28, 2020)
Draft
China Consults on Seven New Food Related Products (ChemLinked news)
China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment consulted on 7 new food related products, including one new variety of FCM additive, two new varieties of resin, and four FCM additives with expanded application scopes. Any comments shall be returned before August 30. (Aug. 5, 2020)
China SAMR Consults on Technical Requirements of Filing Health Food Using Coenzyme Q10 and Other Four Substances as Raw Materials (ChemLinked News)
SAMR opened the draft of Technical Requirements of Health Food Filing Using Coenzyme Q10, Broken Ganoderma Lucidum Spores, Spirulina, Fish Oil, and Melatonin as Raw Material for public comments on Aug 12. Permitted auxiliary ingredients, dosage forms and technical requirements for filing health food products using the five substances as raw materials were specified in this draft. (Aug. 12, 2020)
China Consults on New Dosage Forms for Health Food Filing (ChemLinked News)
On Aug 28th, China SAMR consulted on two new dosage forms for health food filing, i.e., gelatinized confections and powder. Permitted auxiliary materials and technical requirements for gelatinized confections and powder were specified in the draft. (Aug. 28, 2020)
China Consults on 16 National Food Safety Standards (ChemLinked News)
On Aug. 31, 2020, National Food Safety Standard Review Committee opened 16 GB standards for public feedback, and any comments should be sent back prior to Oct. 20, 2020. The standards include Maximum Contaminant Level in Food, General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Food, etc. (Aug. 31, 2020)
China Consults on GB standard of a Food Additive
China Association of Fragrance Flavor and Cosmetic Industries opened the draft GB standard of food additive (2S,5R)-N-[4-(2-Amino-2-oxoethyl)phenyl]-5-methyl-2-(propan-2-yl) cyclohexanecarboxamide for public comments on Aug 21st, 2020. Any comments shall be returned before Sep. 20, 2020. (Aug. 21, 2020)
Taiwan to Revise Standards for Specification, Scope, Application and Limitation of Food Additives
The 14 substances listed in the draft, e.g. agaric acid, aloin, β-asarone, etc., cannot be used in food. Condiments that naturally contain the above said substances should label names and contents of the substances. Beverages using natural condiments containing the above substances should comply with maximum limits listed in the draft. Three synthetic condiments (styrene, eugenyl methyl ether and pyridine) cannot be used in food. (Aug. 4, 2020)
Taiwan FDA Publishes Drafts of Restriction on Food Raw Material Coffea Arabica and Fish Oil
Coffea arabica (or coffea canephora) can only be used in brewing tea beverage, food using coffea arabica as materials should label warning terms “Children, pregnant and lactating women should avoid eating”. The source of fish oil used in food should be traditionally edible fish, daily consumption of such fish oil can be calculated as the sum of EPA and DHA, which should be less than 2g. Daily consumption of fish oil used in FSMP food should be less than 5g. (Aug. 20, 2020)
Taiwan to Revise Regulations on Nutrition Labeling for Prepackaged Food Products
As revealed by the Taiwan FDA notice released on August 20, 2020, “Regulations on Nutrition Labeling for Infant Formula and FSMP (Food for Special Medical Purpose) Products” will be annulled and be incorporated into the revision of “Regulations on Nutrition Labeling for Prepackaged Food Products”. Current version subdivides FSMP into 1) Nutrition balanced whole formula food, nutrition adjusted whole formula food, nutrition adjusted supplementary food; and 2) Special modular formula food. For special modular formula food, contents of main nutrition element needed should be marked. (Aug. 20, 2020)
Supervision
China Initiates Anti-dumping Probe into Australian Wine (ChemLinked news)
On August 18, 2020, China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) released the No. 34 Notice revealing an anti-dumping investigation into the imported wine from Australia in containers holding 2 liters or less (HS code: 22042100). Certain wine products imported from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2019, are subject to the anti-dumping investigation. The investigation of industry damage will focus on wine imported from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2019. (Aug. 18, 2020)
China GAC Suspends Beef Imports from One Australian Enterprise
A prohibited drug chloramphenicol was detected in beef imported from the Australian enterprise JOHN DEE WARWICK PTY LTD (registration number 243). China GAC destroyed the beef and suspended import qualification of this company. (Aug. 27, 2020)
China Collects Suggestions on GB 16740-2014 Health Food
China Health Care Association released a notice on Aug 24th to collect questions and suggestions in implementing GB 16740-2014 Health Food. (Aug. 24, 2020)
China Ministry of Commerce Specifies Timeline on Plastic Ban (ChemLinked News)
On Aug 31st, China Ministry of Commerce published a notice on strengthening the plastic pollution control within business fields. According to the attached timeline, the use of non-degradable disposable plastic straws in the food service industry will be banned nationwide by the end of 2020. Non-degradable disposable plastic tableware will be gradually restricted by 2025. (Aug. 31, 2020)
Nine Infant Formula Milk Powder in Hong Kong Tested Positive for Cancerogen (ChemLinked news)
Hong Kong Consumer Council revealed on Aug. 17th that 15 infant formula products sold in Hong Kong were inspected and 9 of them were tested positive for cancerogen glycidyl esters (GE). The content of GE remained in the sample products ranged from 1.1 ug/kg to 29 ug/kg. Product with the highest GE level was “Smart Baby” of Snow Brand. In spite of the detection, the GE residues do not exceed the maximum limit stipulated by EU which is 50 ug/kg. (Aug. 17, 2020)
South Korea
Regulation
South Korea Amends the MRLs of Pesticides
MFDS disclosed the revised Food Code on August 4, 2020. The requirements on the MRLs of iminoctadine and other 116 pesticides were modified to align with the Pesticide Management Act. (Aug. 4, 2020)
South Korea Amends the Standards of Inspecting the MRLs in Meat
On August 26, 2020, MFDS unveiled the revised the Standards of Inspecting the MRLs in Meat Products. It enhanced the management of MRLs remained in meat. The new standard prohibits shipping risk livestock products before the final inspection result is obtained. The possible areas for collecting samples are expanded from “kidney” to "kidney or muscle." These amendments will come into force from September 30, 2020. (Aug. 26, 2020)
Draft
MFDS released an exposure draft of the Registration and Management Standard of Good Importer and Good Foreign Food Facility for public opinion on August 25. This draft is to optimize the regulation of on-site inspection. The on-site inspection could be delayed when the foreign food facility hasn't been producing foods for over one year or when the facility location's environment is not proper for on-site inspect due to the pandemic, terrorism, etc. Stakeholders can send suggestions to MFDS prior to September 14. (Aug. 25, 2020)
Supervision
South Korea Designates New Imported Food Subject to Inspection
On August 13, 2020, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) released a notice to designate the “Fish oil product made from Antarctic krill (Euphausia Superba)" as imported food subject to an inspection order. The importers of these fish oil products shall submit an inspection report to MFDS to undergo the inspection before importation. This inspection will last for one year from September 1, 2020, to August 31, 2021. (Aug. 13, 2020)
South Korea Cracks Down on Online Sales of Formulas that use False Advertising (ChemLinked News)
Since January 1, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) had been inspecting 1,099 infant formula sold online and released the inspection result on August 27, 2020. In the MFDS notification, 479 issues were identified to be in violation of food advertising requirements. The relevant webpages will be blocked, and the business entities in violation would be punished with administrative penalties. (Aug. 27, 2020)
South Korea to End the Grace Period for Evaluation the Packaging Materials Recyclability Grade (ChemLinked Article)
On December 25, 2019, South Korea Ministry of Environment (MOE) enacted the Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources and required enterprises to evaluate the packaging material grade. The grace period is set to end on September 24, 2020.
Japan
Japan Consults on Maximum Residue Limits of 3 Pesticides
The residue limits of the pesticides Imazapyr, Oxolinic acid and Tolpyralate were revised in the exposure draft of “Standards and Criteria for Food and Food Additives, etc.” Any comments shall be submitted prior to Sep. 9, 2020. (Aug. 11, 2020)
Japan Is Proposed to Revise JSFA
The exposure draft of “Japan’s Specifications and Standards for Food Additives (JSFA)” proposes to set the ingredient specifications for 13 food additives and modify the ingredient specifications for 15 food additives. Besides, it also decides to alter the use standards and manufacturing standards of some minerals. Any comments shall be submitted before Sep. 10, 2020. (Aug. 11, 2020)
Southeast Asia
Regulation
Singapore Unveils the Amendment No.3 to Food Regulation 2020 (ChemLinked news)
SFA issued the No.3 amendment to Food Regulation 2020, which came in force on Aug. 31st. The amendment allowed the use of new food additives soy leghemoglobin, ferrous bisglycinate and alpha, alpha-trehalase, expanded the scope of existing food additives and updated requirements for butter and sweetening agent. (Aug. 27, 2020)
Singapore Establishes the Maximum Residue Limits for Mercury, Bromate, and Mycotoxins in Food (ChemLinked news)
As revealed by SFA announcement issued on Aug. 11, 2020, Singapore will impose the maximum residue limits for mercury, bromate, and mycotoxins (including Deoxynivalenol, Fumonisins B1 & B2, Ochratoxin A and Zearalenone) in food based on the result of safety assessment. The new maximum limits are consistent with the relevant Codex standard or regulatory standard of major developed countries. This regulation came to effect on Sep. 1st, 2020. (Aug. 11, 2020)
India Updates the Maximum Contaminant Levels in Food (ChemLinked news)
India FSSAI announced the amendment to Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulation on Aug. 19, 2020. Maximum residue limit of heavy metal and mycotoxin amounts were updated. The revision came into force from the date of promulgation and food business operators were given a grace period until Jul. 1st, 2021. (Aug. 19, 2020)
India Revises the Limit of Naturally Occurring Formaldehyde in Fish
On Aug 25th, India FSSAI released revision on limits of naturally occurring formaldehyde in freshwater and marine fish. The limit for 6 abyssal fishes such as Rastrelliger Kanagurta is 8.0mg/kg, 4.0mg/kg for 22 abyssal fishes such as Chirocentrusdorab, and 4.0mg/kg for 4 freshwater fishes such as Allfreshwatercatifishes. For other fish products of marine origin other than those mentioned above, the maximum limit is 100mg/kg. (Aug. 25, 2020)
India Publishes Requirements on Non-GM Certificate for Imported Food
To ensure that only Non GM food crops are imported into India before regulations related to GM food are established, some food products need to provide a Non-GM origin cum GM free certificate issued by Competent National Authority of the exporting country. (Aug. 21, 2020)
India Revises Food and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business)
On Aug 19th, 2020, India FSSAI released the amendment of Food and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business), in which it specified responsibilities of E-Commerce Food Business Operators and that e-commerce FBOs shall obtain central license from the concerned central licensing authority. (Aug. 18, 2020)
Draft
Thailand Approves the draft of Pesticide Residue Limits in Food No.3
As Chlorpyrifos, Chlorpyrifos-methyl, Paraquat, Paraquat dichloride Paraquat[bis(methyl sulfate)]or paraquat methosulfate are now banned in agriculture, Thailand Food Committee approved the draft of Pesticide Residue Limits in Food No.3 on Aug. 17. (Aug. 21, 2020)
Thailand Consults on Standard of Chocolate, Chocolate Products and Coco Products.
On Aug 20th, 2020, Thailand FDA released two food standard drafts, which were Chocolate and Chocolate Product Standard and Coco Product Standard. Any comments shall be returned before Sep. 30, 2020. (Aug. 20, 2020)