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Supervision
GACC Releases the English User Manual for Overseas Food Manufacturer Registration Platform
To further help companies complete the overseas food manufacturer registration, on December 2, 2021, General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) released an English user manual to introduce system functions and explain the registration procedures for food manufacturers under different situations, and different application status.
Assorting with the implementation of Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Registration and Administration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food (Decree 248) and Measures of the People's Republic of China for the Administration of Import and Export Food Safety (Decree 249) on January 1, 2022, GACC released a follow-up notice to clarify the implementation matters of these two decrees on December 13, 2021. According to the notice, for imported foods shipped to China on and after January 1, 2022, "registration number in China" shall be submitted during the import declaration. Otherwise, GACC will reject the declaration. Besides, imported foods produced on and after January 1, 2022 should label the registration number on the inner and outer package of products.
China to Regulate Near-Expired Food Market
On December 17, 2021, China National Development and Reform Commission issued Anti-Food Waste Work Plan. According to the plan, improving the distribution system of near-expired food is one of the key strategies to promote the reasonable use of food. To achieve the goal, it is recommended that food manufacturers should optimize the labeling system, such as, clearly labeling the “best before date” and “expire date” on food packaging.
China Removes the Filing Requirement for the Consignee of Imported Meat
In a move to further streamline the administration and simplify the import process, GACC issued a notice on December 17, 2021, deciding to cancel the filing of domestic consignees of imported meat from January 1, 2022.
Imported Food Rejected by China Customs Hit Record Level: 399 Batches in November 2021
On December 20, 2021, GACC published the list of non-compliant food products in November. The number of rejected products reached 399 batches from 40 countries/regions, which hit a new record high. Most non-compliant imported food in November came from India and Taiwan, China, followed by Hong Kong, China and Ecuador. Notably, one batch of imported aquatic products failed customs clearance for the overseas manufacturer failing to register in China.
GACC Launches a Platform for the Enquiry of Registered Overseas Food Manufacturers
In late December of 2021, GACC released a query platform where overseas food manufacturers, their Chinese importers and other stakeholders can check the registration information of overseas manufacturers of imported food easily. After the release of the CIFER registration system on November 1, 2021, 33,204 applications have passed the manufacturer registration review by the end of December, 2021. Since registration numbers will be given based on food categories, manufacturers producing different categories of foods will have more than one registration number.
In line with the implementation of GACC Decree 248 and GACC Decree 249, the Administrative Measures for Inspection, Quarantine and Supervision of Import and Export Dairy Products will be repealed accordingly at the same time. Correspondingly, GACC released a notice on December 24, 2021, to clarify the inspection and quarantine requirements for imported dairy products on and after January 1, 2022. Compared to old requirements, this notice is mainly a summary of previously revealed regulations.
SAMR Releases FAQs for Recipe Registration of Infant Formula
On December 24, 2021, the Food Evaluation Center of the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) issued a notice on frequently-asked questions and answers for recipe registration of infant formula milk powder products. The FAQs summarized and covered the questions regarding product formulation, R&D, quality and production process. For the English version of the FAQs, stay tuned for the ChemLinked Regulation Translations.
Draft
China to Set MRLs for 145 Pesticides in Foods
As revealed by the WTO notification G/SPS/N/CHN/1242 on December 3, 2021, China opened the draft of Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides in Foods for public comments. The draft proposed to establish 733 maximum residue limits (MRLs) for 145 pesticides, including 2,4-dichlorophenoxybutyric acid in or on foods. WTO members can submit their comments prior to February 1, 2022.
China Consults on Five New Food Additives and One New Food Raw Material
On December 8, 2021, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) opened five new varieties of food additives and one new food raw material for public feedback. It is revealed that chlamydomonas reinhardtii is proposed to be used as a new food raw material, except to be used in foods for infants and young children. Sucralose is likely to be used in reprocessed cheese soon.
CFSA Consults on Four New Varieties of Food-related Products
As per the notice released on December 9, 2021, CFSA consulted on four new varieties of food-related products, including one new additive variety for food contact materials (FCM) and articles, and three new resins. Any opinions can be sent to [email protected] prior to January 7, 2022.
SAMR Consults the Recommended Standard for Canned Edible Fungi
As revealed by the notice on December 14, 2021, SAMR opened the drafts of 11 GB/T (recommended) standards for public feedback, including the draft of General Quality Requirements for Canned Edible Fungi, which specified the terms, definitions, product classification, technical requirements, test method, etc., of canned edible fungi. Any feedback can be sent to [email protected] before January 14, 2022.
China to Expand Raw Material Directories and Function Claims of Health Food
On December 20, 2021, SAMR opened the drafts of Health Food Raw Materials Directory - Nutrient Supplement (2022), Health Function Catalogue Allowed for Health Food Claims - Nutrient Supplement (2022), and Health Food Raw Material Directory - Protein for public comments. As revealed by the drafts, six new ingredients are proposed to be listed in health food raw materials directories. It is noteworthy that once the draft gets passed, imported nutrient supplement using DHA can enter the Chinese market by filing if they bear the claim to supplement n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Any comment can be sent to [email protected] before January 19, 2022.
China Consults on Administrative Measures for Entry Animal and Plant Quarantine Access
GACC has been implemented a quarantine system for entry-exit animal and plant on the basis of Law on the Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine and the Implementation Rules, as well as other bilateral agreements. On December 29, 2021, GACC announced to solicit public opinions for the draft of Administrative Measures for Entry Animal and Plant Quarantine Access, which summarized and preserved the current provisions on animal and plant quarantine with no substantial change, and proposed to introduce the legal concept of "quarantine access" and legalize the implementation of quarantine access. Any comment can be submitted via email [email protected] before January 29, 2022.
Taiwan Consults on Three Food Regulation Drafts in December
In December, 2021, Taiwan FDA solicited public feedback for three regulation drafts regarding food additive, residue limits of pesticide and veterinary drug, namely, Test Method for Food Additive Specification—Pectins, Test Method for Veterinary Drug Residues in Foods—Test of Chloramphenicols (amendment) and Standards for Pesticide Residue Limits in Foods and Animal Products (amendment). Any comment can be sent to Taiwan FDA within 60 days from the release of these drafts.
South Korea Introduces the Sugar and Sodium Reduction Label
On December 10, 2021, MFDS promulgated the Standard of Sugar and Sodium Reduction Label. The standard specifies the product scope subject to sugar/sodium reduction label. A food product can be labeled with "sugar/sodium reduction" when its sugar/sodium content is either (1) 10% less than the average sugar/sodium content of the distributed foods of the same category, or (2) 25% less than the sugar/sodium content of other food products of the same corporate.
The "fried noodles (유탕면류)" is designated as the first batch of food subject to "sodium reduction" label in the standard. Soon after, on December 16, 2021, the authority released the Average Sodium Content of the Distributed Fried Noodles for enterprises' reference. MFDS also mentioned that they would expand the scope of food subject to the "sugar/sodium reduction label".
South Korea to Enhance the Imported Livestock Products Safety Control
On December 17, 2021, MFDS published a notice to remind the importers to submit the sanitary certificates of imported livestock products after January 1, 2022. Previously, the sanitary certificate of imported livestock products was a voluntary submission document if the exporting country had signed a separate sanitary contract with the Korean government. Nevertheless, to intensify the food safety management of imported livestock products, on June 30, 2021, MFDS modified the Enforcement Rule of Imported Food Act, specifying that after January 1, 2022, the livestock product sanitary certificate is a mandatory document.
South Korea Consults on Food Labeling Standard
On December 21, 2021, MFDS published a draft of Food Labeling Standard for public opinion. It mainly proposed to update the Food Labeling Standard in accordance with the modifications in Enforcement Rule of Act on Labeling and Advertising of Foods and Food Code. The draft details the nutrients and calorie standards of food product subject to the nutrition fact label.
South Korea Publishes the Monograph of Functional Raw Material- EPA and DHA oil
MFDS published the MFDS Monograph of Functional Raw Material- EPA and DHA oil for enterprises' reference on December 23, 2021. It intorduces the characteristics of the raw material, safety evaluation, function evaluation, precautions for intake, etc.
South Korea Issues Guideline on Recycled Synthetic Resin Certification Application
On December 28, 2021, MFDS issued the Guideline on Preparing Submission Documents for Physically Processed Recycled Synthetic Resin Certification Application. According to the “Standards and Specifications of Utensils, Containers, and Packages” modified on September 7, the recycled PET materials prepared by physical technology are permitted to be used as the raw materials of synthetic resin for manufacturing food containers. This guideline aims to help enterprises understand the requirements of synthetic resin materials and prepare the certification application documents. It includes the application introduction, checklist of the submission documents, and the relevant application forms.
South Korea Revises the Regulation on Declaration and Inspections of Imported Livestock Products
On December 29, 2021, MFDS promulgated the latest version of "Regulation on Declaration and Inspections of Imported Livestock Products". The new regulation details the corrective measures of foreign establishments for livestock products, intensifies the safety control of substandard livestock products during on-site inspection, and optimizes the fast custom clearance provisions.
South Korea Modifies the Food Labeling Standards
On December 30, 2021, MFDS optimized the Food Labeling Standards following the amendment of "Food Code and Enforcement Rule of Act on Labeling and Advertising of Foods". The "labeling items for each category" and "labeling standards" are modified in accordance with the new nutrient scope.
South Korea Updates the Food Code
On December 29, 2021, MFDS modified the pesticides' maximum limits in Food Code. As per the safety re-evaluation results of the pesticide, the maximum residue limitations (MRLs) of 109 pesticides are modified. Additionally, the temporary MRLs of 286 pesticides are deleted.
Japan Releases the Japanese Agricultural Standards for Milled Rice and Organic Algae
On December 7, 2021, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF) issued a notice that the Japanese Agricultural Standards for Milled Rice (JAS0017:2021) and Japanese Agricultural Standards for Organic Algae (JAS0018:2021) were established. The standards will become effective on January 6, 2022.
Japan Intends to Ban the Use of Gentian Violet in the Production of Animal-derived Foods
On December 8, 2021, the Japanese Food Safety Commission was asked to revise the Ministerial Ordinance on Regulation of Veterinary Drugs and Use of Drugs. It is proposed to prohibit the use of gentian violet in producingmilk, eggs, etc. for human consumption, or in breeding aquatic animal cattle, horses, pigs, chickens, quails, bees, etc. For human consumption.
Japan Publicly Solicits Opinions on the Evaluation of Five Substances
On December 15, 2021, the Japanese Food Safety Commission passed the food safety risk assessment of cloxacillin, o-dichlorobenzene, and α-amylase (produced using JPBL008/JPBL009/JPBL010 strain) the commission believed that they would not cause adverse effects on human health. Any comments can be submitted before January 13, 2022.
Japan Revises Maximum Residue Limits for 47 Pesticides and Veterinary Drugs
On December 17, 2021, Japan MHLW released the amendment to Standards and Criteria for Food and Food Additives, etc., which mainly revised the residue limits of 47 pesticides and veterinary drugs, and added the test method for gentian violet. The amendment came into effect immediately after the promulgation.
Japan Proposes to Revise the Residue Limits of 16 Pesticides and Veterinary Drugs in Food
On December 21, 2021, Japan released an amendment for residue limits of 16 pesticides and veterinary drugs in food for public consultation. They are isoeugenol, oxyclozanide, canthaxanthin, clethodim, acetylisovaleryltylosin antibiotic drugs, sedaxane, trimethoprim, halofuginone, fluazinam, flutianil, propargite, foramsulfuron, maduramicin, mandipropamid, metamifop, robenidine. Any comments can be submitted before January 19, 2021.
On December 21, 2021, Japan released an amendment for the Substance Testing Method for Residual Pesticides, Feed Additives or Veterinary Drugs in Food. According to the amendment, the “testing method for crystal violet, brilliant green and methylene blue (livestock and aquatic product)” was deleted, while the “testing method for “brilliant green and methylene blue (livestock and aquatic product)” was added.
Japan Revises Labeling Regulations for Soy Milk Products
On December 22, 2021, the Federation of Fair Trade Conferences and Consumer Affairs Agency jointly issued a statement, which added "additives", "raw material's origin name", and "amount and calorie of nutritional ingredients" as mandatory labeling items for soy milk products. This statement came into force upon its issuance.
Japan Releases the Guidelines for Labeling the Non-use of Food Additives Draft
On December 22, 2021, the Consumer Affairs Agency of Japan (CAA) released the Guidelines for Labeling the Non-use of Food Additives (Draft) for public consultation. This Guidelines based on food labeling standards mainly focus on the labeling that is considered as Prohibited claiming items. Any comments can be submitted before January 21, 2022.
One Products Granted Labeling Approval in December
On December 24, 2021, Japan Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) approved the labeling license for one kind of food for special dietary uses. It is a jelly food suitable for people's hydration with swallowing difficulties.
Japan Consults to Formulate Agricultural Standards for Miso
On December 27, 2021, Japan's MAFF decided to solicit opinions from the public on formulating Japanese Agricultural Standards for Miso. The standard includes the scope of application, terms, definitions, production methods and requirements, etc. Any comments can be submitted before January 25, 2022.
Indonesia Consults on the Criteria and Procedure for Registration of Health Supplements
On December 3, 2021, Indonesia Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) opened Draft Regulation of the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency regarding the Criteria and Procedure for Registration of Health Supplements for public feedback till December 10, 2021. The draft stipulated the requirements of safety, efficacy, quality, labeling and registration application (including new registration, registration variation and re-registration) of health supplements. According to the draft, the registration application of imported health supplements must be submitted by importers.
Thailand Unveils the Standard for Dried Mushroom
On December 9, 2021, Thailand Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives released TAS 1529-2021 Dried Shiitake Mushrooms with immediate effect. The main contents of the standard are as follows: (1) dried mushrooms refer to mushrooms obtained by drying edible mushrooms (Lentinulaedodes（Berk.）Pegler) and can be restored to their original state after soaking in water; (2) the moisture content shall not exceed 13% (w / w), the total number of microorganisms shall not exceed 10000 CFU / g, and the maximum content of sulfite shall not exceed 500 mg / kg (calculated according to the amount of residual sulfur dioxide); (4) dry mushrooms shall be packaged in clean, hygienic and protective containers, and the net weight of each packaged dry mushroom shall not be less than the net weight marked on the label; (5) the same side of the package must be marked with words or characters, and the text must be clear, firm and visible from the outside; (6) the label content shall include: product name, specification, manufacturer, packer, distributor, importer or exporter's name and address, origin and other necessary information.
India to Amend Advertising and Claims Requirements for Food
On December 31, 2021, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) released the draft of Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Amendment Regulations, 2021 for public comments. This draft mainly revised some provisions regarding food advertising and claims, for instance, for food which claims to reduce the disease risk, it shall specify the recommended intake of the food per day to achieve the claimed benefit. Besides, the draft proposed to add the claim requirements for DHA, lactose and gluten. Any comment can be submitted online before February 28, 2022.
India Revises the Standard for Ghee and other Milk Fat Products
On December 31, 2021, FSSAI unveiled Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Sixth Amendment Regulations, 2021, which mainly revised the requirements for the nutritional level, labeling and claims of ghee and other milk fat products. Stakeholders shall comply with all the provisions in these regulations by July 1, 2022, except for fatty acid contents for ghee, which will come into force in two years after the release date.
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