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Supervision
177 Batches of Imported Products Rejected by China Customs in July 2021
On Aug. 17, 2021, China GAC announced the list of non-compliant food products in August. A total of 177 batches of imported food from 34 countries/regions were rejected. Japan, Vietnam and India are the top three countries in numbers of rejected products. Aquatic products, sugar and sugar products, as well as fruit and vegetable products accounted for the majority of the rejections.
China Resumes Thai Longan Imports After Active Bilateral Consultations
On Aug. 13, 2021, China announced to suspend the import of longan from Thailand due to pest problem, which caused a tremendous impact on its farmers, manufacturers and market in Thailand. After the bilateral consultations proposed by Thai government, Thailand promised to strengthen the control over the safety of longan export. On Aug. 17, among 66 factories involved in the previous ban, China decided to resume longan imports from 56 factories.
Regulation
China MoARA Updates Feed Raw Material Catalogue and Feed Additive Catalogue
As revealed by a notice released on Aug. 17, 2021, China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MoARA) appended palm fatty acid powder and caramel colour to Feed Raw Material Catalogue and Feed Additive Catalogue, respectively. Moreover, the application scope of Coenzyme Q10 residue was expanded from "livestock and poultry feed" to "livestock, poultry and aquaculture feed".
Taiwan Issues the Test Methods for Four Food Additives in August
In August, Taiwan FDA issued the test methods for four additives, including calcium gluconolactate, triethyl citrate, α–Glycosyl–isoquercitrin and lycopene (from Blakeslea trispora). For the former three additives, their test methods came into use with an immediate effect after the issuance, while the test method for lycopene (from Blakeslea trispora) will come into use on Jan. 1, 2023. Check ChemLinked Regulatory Database for more details.
Taiwan Amends Standards for Pesticide Residue Limits in Foods
On Aug. 18, 2021, Taiwan FDA released the amendment to the Appendix 1 of Article 3, Appendix 3 of Article 4, and Appendix 5 of Article 6 of "Standards for Pesticide Residue Limits in Foods". This amendment revised the residue limits of 187 items in 43 varieties of pesticides, exempted 3 pesticides from residue limits, and classified Momordica cochinchinensis into melon vegetables category.
Taiwan Amends Standards for Specification, Scope, Application and Limitation of Food Additives
Taiwan FDA unveiled an amendment to the Appendix 1 of Article 2 of "Standards for Specification, Scope, Application and Limitation of Food Additives" on Aug. 18, 2021. This revision includes the specification for dairy additives stipulated in "Sanitation Standard for Milk and Milk Products", which has been repealed on July 1, 2021.
Taiwan Issues Two Test Methods for Heavy Metals in Aquatic Animals, Livestock and Poultry Products, Honey, Edible Fat, Oil and Cream
On Aug. 26, Taiwan FDA announced to repeal four test methods, including two test methods for lead and cadmium content in aquatic animals and edible viscera of livestock and poultry, and two methods for mercury, arsenic, lead and copper content in edible fat and oil. On the same day, FDA issued "Method of Test for Heavy Metals in Aquatic Animals, Livestock and Poultry Products and Honey" and "Method of Test for Heavy Metals in Edible Fat, Oil and Cream" subsequently, which incorporate the repealed test methods and came into force after the promulgation.
Draft
China Consults on Four New GB Standards Regarding Pesticides Residue Limits and Food Additives
As revealed by the notice released on Aug. 11, 2021, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China (MoARA) has completed the collection of public comments on maximum residue limits for 90 pesticides, including 2,4-dichlorophenoxybutyric acid and 2,4-D butylate. The consultation period has ended in Sep.5, 2021.
On Aug.16, China Food Additive & Ingredients Association (CFAA) opened three GB standard drafts for public comments, including two food additives (methyl cellulose and vegetable carbon) and one nutritional fortifier (1,3-Dioleoyl-2-Palmitoyl Triglyceride). Any feedback shall be sent to CFAA before Sep. 17, 2021.
China Consults on 11 New Varieties of Food-related Products
On Aug. 20, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) opened 11 new varieties of food-related products to public feedback, including five new FCM additive varieties, four FCM additives with expanded application scope, and two new resins. Any comment shall be sent back to CFSA prior to Sep. 10, 2021. Among them, food contact material containing rosin, ester with glycerol, which was successfully submitted for application by REACH24H, should not be used to contact infant and young children food or breast milk.
South Korea Amends the Safety Assessment Standard of Genetically Modified Food
On August 6, 2021, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) enforced the "Safety Assessment Standard of Genetically Modified Food". For products containing safety-ensured genetically modified agricultural or fishery materials, the corresponding materials can be eliminated from safety assessment. Additionally, the standard also requires enterprises to submit the repeated oral dose toxicity test data for genetically modified food safety evaluation.
South Korea Updates the Food Code
On Aug. 9, 2021, MFDS modified the pesticide residual limit requirements. The standards of 109 pesticides, including Glufosinate (ammonium), Napropamide, Deltamethrin, etc., are revised to keep in line with the updates in "Pesticide Control Act".
South Korea Releases Two Drafts of Food Code
On Aug. 9, 2021, MFDS issued two drafts of Food Code, "Draft No.394" and "Draft No. 395", for public opinion. Both contain the amendments of pesticide residue. In "Draft No. 394", 47 kinds of unregistered pesticides are removed from the Food Code, including the meptyldinocap, dimethoate, and diquat, etc. Besides, the maximum residue limits of 33 pesticides are to be modified. In "Draft No. 395", the maximum residue limits of 107 pesticides are updated in accordance with the modifications in the "Pesticide Control Act".
South Korea Amends the Enforcement Decree of the Livestock Products Sanitary Control Act
On Aug. 10, 2021, MFDS permits HMR (home meal replacement) food to use meat, eggs, and other livestock sourced materials as the main raw materials in the latest version of "Enforcement Decree of the Livestock Products Sanitary Control Act". Previously, the product should be registered as a livestock product when containing over 60% livestock materials. The provision about registering new business related to HMR food is brought out as well.
On Aug. 11, 2021, MFDS released the draft of "Enforcement Rule of the Special Act on Safety Management of Children's Dietary Lifestyle". The draft mainly proposes simplifying the application process for prolonging the validity period of children's favorite foods' quality certification. Besides, nutrition information of children's favorite foods shall be disclosed to provide consumers with more safety information.
South Korea Updates Imported Food Act
On Aug. 17, 2021, MFDS revised the "Imported Food Act". The Act introduces a new concept of "directly purchased overseas food products" and establishes the legal basis for publishing the risk information of such products. The Act also permits conducting the remote inspection for foreign facilities under special situations such as infectious disease pandemics.
End of Sell-by Date, South Korea Rolls out the Use-by Date for Food
On Aug. 17, MFDS updates the "Food Labeling Act" to replace the sell-by date with the use-by date. The provision will be enforced on Sep. 18, 2021. The authority introduced the new date labeling method to reduce food waste, as lots of food are still safe to eat after the expiration date. A grace period is given for the imported food till Jan. 1, 2023, as stipulated in "Imported Food Act (Act No. 18445)".
South Korea Amends the Enforcement Rule of Food Labeling Act
On Aug. 24, 2021, MFDS disclosed the latest version of "Enforcement Rule of Food Labeling Act". The amendments are mainly about sodium nitrite's safety warnings, the newly introduced administrative penalty, and the food labeling voluntary review for Food for Special Medical Purpose.
South Korea consults on Packing Material Recyclability Rating Standard
On Aug. 23, 2021, the Ministry of Environment (MOE) disclosed the draft of "Packing Material Recyclability Rating Standard" for public opinion. It contains three major parts, including a new situation of the "difficult to separate" packaging, new tag standard, and synthetic resin packaging rating criteria.
South Korea Accepts Electronic Sanitation Certificate of Australian Meat Product
On Aug. 27, 2021, MFDS announced that they would accept the electronic sanitation certificate of Australian meat products for import declaration after Sep. 1, 2021.
The export sanitation certificate is a mandatory certificate for import declaration agreed between the exporting country's government and the Korean government. The certificate's original copy was required for import declaration. However, as Australia exports the second most meat products to South Korea, the authority intends to accept the sanitation certificate's electronic copy, in an effort to increase convenience and reduce paper waste.
Eight Products Granted Label Approval in July
In August, Japan Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) newly approved the labeling license for five products, including two food for specified health uses, one food for specified health uses foods, and one food for special dietary uses. Up to now, 1,077 health foods have been licensed as foods for specified health uses.
Japan Updates Food Composition Standard Tables
On Aug. 10, 2021, the Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan (Eighth Revised Version) is officially implemented. To calculate sugar intake and energy intake more accurately, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) subdivided the carbohydrates into 6 parts. Besides, the energy calculation method was changed too.
A Weedkiller-related Substance Approves Safety Review by MHLW
On June 2, 2021, Japan MHLW announced one weedkiller-related substance that had passed the safety review procedures for recombinant DNA technology's application.
Japan CAA Unveils FAQ for Plant-based Meat Labeling
On Aug. 20, 2021, to regulate the labeling of plant-based meat, CAA publicly answered the product labeling problem of plant-based meat. According to the FAQ, it mainly answered the requirements on the product name, the name of the raw material, and the allergy label for plant-based meat.
Japan Removes the Age Restriction of Imported Beef from Denmark
Japan resumed importing Danish beef less than 30 months old in 2016 and solicited opinions on whether to lift the age restriction in July 2021. After discussion, on Aug. 31, 2021, Japan MAFF announced to officially eliminate the age restrictions (under 30 months) on imports of Danish beef.
Imports of Poultry and Pork from Five Countries were Resumed in August
MAFF announced that due to the improvement of swine fever and bird flu, five countries were allowed to import the poultry and pork again. They are Czech, Belgium, part of Hungary, Ukraine, and part of France.
Japan Rejects 62 Batches of Imported Food in August 2021
According to MHLW's notification, 62 batches of food products imported from 17 countries/regions were found non-compliant in August 2021. Most non-compliant food is from China and Vietnam, followed by the United States.
Japan Revises the Standards and Criteria for Food and Food Additives
On Aug. 31, 2021, Japan released the amendment of "Standards and Criteria for Food and Food Additives". According to the amendment, the residue limits of eight pesticides and veterinary drugs were modified, including Kasugamycin, Chloropicrin, Trenbolone Acetate, Butylated hydroxytoluene, Validamycin, Fenpropathrin, Prochloraz, 1-methylcyclopropene. In addition, the implementation date for raising the maximum amount is Aug. 31, 2021, while the implementation date for reducing the minimum amountis August 31, 2022.
Indonesia Amends Regulation Regarding Processed Food Labels
On Aug. 2, 2021, Indonesia FDA unveiled the amendment to "BPOM Regulation No.31 of 2018 on Processed Food Label" with immediate effect. Major changes happen on the labeling of business-to-business products, additives, halal information and forbidden information. According to the amendment, processed foods that have been distributed must comply with the labeling requirements stated in the amendment before Dec. 31, 2021, except for condensed milk and its analogue. Besides, for labels related to business-to-business food and food additives which already entered the distribution channels shall comply with the corresponding provisions in the amendment within 12 months after the promulgation.
On Aug. 3, 2021, Indonesia FDA issued the regulation concerning the implementation of the safety and quality assurance system for processed food in distribution facilities with immediate effect. Particularly, it specifies that enterprises must apply for a certificate of food safety management system when processing or importing food. Besides, it stipulates the terms, definitions, requirements for applying and changing the certificate, requirements for enterprises to conduct internal audit, as well as provisions on supervision for enterprise and penalties for violations. It is allowed for enterprises to comply with transitional provisions within 24 months after the promulgation.
Malaysia to Amend Regulations Regarding Food Allergen and Pesticide Residue Limits
As revealed by WTO notification (G/SPS/N/MYS/50 and G/SPS/N/MYS/51) issued on Aug. 11, 2021, Malaysia opened "Amendment to Subregulation 11(5) of Food Regulations 1985" for public feedback. WTO members can submit their comments prior to Oct. 10, 2021. According to the notification, the allergen food category "peanuts and nuts and their products including soybeans" was revised into two categories as "peanuts, soybeans and their products" and "tree nuts and their products except coconut". Besides, the amendment updated the maximum residue limits (MRL) for two pesticides and set MRLs for three newly added pesticides.
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