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South Korea Updates Food Additive Code: Amendments and Proposals
MFDS released the amendments to Food Additive Code on December 1, 2020. The requirement of mixing multiple colorants is newly added to provide the overuse of color additives in food. In addition, MFDS proposed several amendments to Food Additive Code on December 4. The proposals include modifying the scope of natural materials, the usage standards of raw materials, the standard of food sterilizing agents, and test methods. (Read More: Amendments, Proposals)
South Korea Drafts Health Functional Food Code
On December 7, MFDS opened the draft of Health Functional Food Code for public opinion. It proposed new types of individually recognized functional food materials, new functional nutrients, and test methods.
On December 28, MFDS laid out the amendments to Food Code. The latest version changed the standard of clostridium perfringens in Kimchi, pickled foods, and other four products. Eight raw materials, including mock buckthorn, Northern shrimp, etc., were added to the food material positive list. It also adjusted the heavy metal contents remaining in fish oil and the microorganisms in coffee beverages.
South Korea Proposes the New Limits of Veterinary Drug Residue
MFDS opened the draft of the Food Code on December 23, 2020, for public opinions. The maximum residue of veterinary drugs not specified in the Food Code shall be under 0.01 mg/kg. For other veterinary drugs with high risks to the human body, such as steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, no remaining drug shall be tested.
Suggestions can be sent to MFDS before February 22, 2021.
South Korea Promulgates the Requirements of General Food with Functional Claims
MFDS published a new regulation of Exceptions of Prohibited Labels and Advertisements of Food Functions on December 29, 2020. The new regulations indicated the long-awaited general food with functional claims, including the applicable food scope, the raw material standard, and the labeling and advertising standards, etc.
Japan Revises the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Food Sanitation Act
On December. 4, 2020, Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) released an amendment to the "Ordinance for Enforcement of the Food Sanitation Act". Based on the amendment, Tartaric Acid and Metatartaric Acid were newly listed in the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Food Sanitation Act appended table 1. The food additives in this table are considered to be harmless to the human body. The change came into effect on the date of promulgation.
Japan Revises the Standards and Criteria for Food and Food Additives
On December. 4, 2020, Japan MHLW unveiled an amendment to the "Standards and Criteria for Food and Food Additives, etc.“, which modified the specifications and usage standards for Tartaric Acid, Metatartaric Acid, and Calcium Carbonate. This revision was implemented as of the release date. (ChemLinked News)
Later on December 9, 2020, the MHLW announced another revision that the maximum residue limits of 3 pesticide and veterinary drugs are updated. They are Imazapyr, Oxolinic acid, and Tolpyralate. The amendments became effective upon its publication on December 9, 2020. (ChemLinked News)
Japan Consults on the Revision of Standards and Criteria for Food and Food Additives
1. On December 15, 2020, Japan opened an amendment of "Standards and Criteria for Food and Food Additives, etc." for public consultation. According to this amendment, Japan proposes to modify the residue level of Oxazosulfyl, “Cartap, Thiocyclam and Bensultap”, Tildipirosin, Fenhexamid, Prohydrojasmon, flometoquin in food. Any comments shall be submitted before January 13, 2021. (Reference Link)
2. The provisional standard value of deoxynivalenol for wheat was previously stipulated in the document "Setting of provisional standard values for deoxynivalenol in Wheat". However, on December 21, 2020, Japan unveiled an amendment in which the provisional standard value was revised from 1.1 ppm to not more than 1.0 mg/kg, and added the provision to the Standards and Criteria for Food and Food Additives- "ingredient specifications for cereals and legumes." (Reference Link)
MHLW Clarified the Definition of "Dairy and Dairy Products" in FCM Positive List
On Dec. 21, 2020 MHLW updated the Q&A of the FCM positive list, clarifying that "dairy and dairy products" mentioned in the FCM positive list Appendix 1 (1) only refers to the dairy products whose fat content is less than 20%.(Reference Link)
One Lactic Acid Bacteria Beverage Obtained Food for Specified Health Uses Approval
On December 25, 2020, the Japan Consumer Affairs Agency released an announcement for the latest update of food for specified health uses. The statement pointed out that a lactic acid bacteria beverage passed the CAA review and is now allowed to be labeled as a food for specified health uses. Up to now, 1071 foods have been licensed as foods for specified health uses.
Japan Updates Food Composition Standard Tables
On December 25, 2020, Japan MEXT released the amendment to the Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan-(Eighth Revised Version), which mainly subdivided the carbohydrates, changed the energy calculation method, and enriched the information on prepared food. Besides, the number of listed food has increased by 287, now amounting to 2,478.
The Food Composition Standard Tables formulated by Japan MEXT is standard calculating food nutrition for hospitals and enterprises. Enterprises can use the data in the Standard Tables to determine the value on the label.
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