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Supervision
China Issues Legislation Scheme in 2021
On June 6, 2021, China’s State Council issued its legislation scheme in 2021. Multiple critical laws are involved. For example, China SAMR proposes to formulate “Regulations for the Implementation of Consumer Protection Law” in 2021. In addition, “Consumption Tax Law (draft)”, “Quality and Safety Law of Agricultural Products (revised draft)”, “Frontier Health and Quarantine Law (draft)” will be submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for deliberation.
China Proposes to Strengthen the Quality and Safety Supervision for Solid Beverage
As revealed by the notification issued on June 15, 2021, SAMR proposed to strengthen the quality and safety supervision for solid beverage, which mainly focused on its label and promotion. According to the updated supervision, the proper name “solid beverage” should be obviously indicated nearby the product name of the solid beverage products. Besides, the package should indicate the warning that “this product cannot replace special food including food for special medical purposes, infant formula food and health food”. Any comments can be sent before July 14, 2021.
Regulation
Taiwan Issues Testing Method for Enterobacteriaceae
Taiwan FDA issued “Testing Methods for Food Microorganisms - Test for Enterobacteriaceae” on June 2, 2021, which is applicable to the determination of Enterobacteriaceae in food. The method stipulates operating conditions, apparatus and materials, preparation of test solution, identification test, test judgement and count. The method can come into use since July 1, 2021.
Taiwan Proposes to Use 2′-Fucosyllactose in Infant Formula and Children’s Milk Powder
On June 16, 2021, Taiwan FDA approved the use of 2’-fucosyllactose (2’-FL), produced by genetically modified Escherichia coli strain K-12 DH1 MDO MAP1001d, as a novel food ingredient in infant formula, follow-up infant formula, and milk powder or similar products for children under seven years old. As revealed by the notice, the maximum use limit of 2′-FL in the above-mentioned products is 1.2 g/L, calculated in the final product ready for use or reconstituted.
Taiwan Revises Testing Method for Two Food Additives
In June, 2021, Taiwan FDA amended the testing methods for two food additives, including steviol glycoside and β-Carotene. The major changes lie in the revision of content and content determination, and the deletion of some items, such as the decomposition temperature, loss on drying and residue on ignition for β-Carotene, and molecular mass, solubility as well as pH value for steviol glycoside. Both testing methods will be put into use on Jan.1, 2023. Check the details in ChemLinked database.
Taiwan Amends Standards for Specification, Scope, Application and Limitation of Food Additives
Taiwan FDA unveiled Article 4, Appendix 1 of Article 2, Appendix 2 of Article 3 of “Standards for Specification, Scope, Application and Limitation of Food Additives” on June 23,2021. This amendment rectified the implementation date, revised the restrictions on the use of various ingredients, and prohibited the use of synthetic perfume substances such as styrene, eugenol methyl ether and pyridine.
Taiwan Amends Standards for Veterinary Drug Residue Limits in Foods
On June 24, 2021, Taiwan FDA released the amendment on Article 3 of "Standards for Veterinary Drug Residue Limits in Foods ". As revealed by the amendment, the residue limits of Coumaphos (Coumafos) in muscle, liver, kidney and fat of cattle are set respectively. Besides, the residue limits of Gamithromycin are set for seven food categories, including liver, kidney and fat of cattle, muscle, liver, kidney and fat (with skin) of pigs.
Taiwan Releases Sampling Principles Which Supports Sanitation Standard for Microorganisms in Foods
Since the "Sanitation Standard for Microorganisms in Food" took effect on July 1, 2021, Taiwan FDA formulated the guidelines for sampling principles on June 30, which can be used as a reference when it is difficult to determine the required number of samples under special circumstances. According to the guidelines, if the weight (volume) of each unit of complete package is far less than the sampling amount required for a single microbiological test, and if the product is not suitable for dilution treatment, the sampling amount of each unit should be increased appropriately, and the minimum sampling amount required for the test should be as much as possible.
Draft
China Consults on 23 GB Standards. Food Contact Materials and Articles Involved
On June 2, 2021, China NHC opened 22 GB standards and 1 modification list for public feedback. Compared with the old version, the new GB 31604.1-2015 aims to be more practical and more in line with the characteristics of Chinese dietary. It adds dry food as a new category of food simulant, further details the correction for migration test results, and optimizes three terms and definitions to solve the problems occurred during the practical application of the old version. Any comment shall be sent back prior to July. 20, 2021.
Hong Kong to Amend Harmful Substances in Food Regulation. Infant Formula and Baby Food Involved
On June 11, 2021, Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety (CFS) issued the "Harmful Substances in Food (Amendment) Regulation 2021". The amendment updates the maximum levels of three harmful substances in food and set maximum levels of five new harmful substances in food. Besides, partially hydrogenated oil is now listed as a prohibited substance in food. The amendment will be implemented in two phases. The provisions related to hydrogenated oil will be effect on Dec. 1, 2023, and all other provisions on Jun. 1, 2023.
South Korea Revises the Regulations on the Inspection of Imported Health Functional Food
On June 8, 2021, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) issued the latest “Regulations on Imported Health Functional Food Inspection”. The regulation clarifies the requirements of thorough inspection. Suppose an imported food product with a history of non-compliance is shipped to South Korea again, the product shall undergo a thorough inspection, including an assessment of the previous non-compliance item. Besides, the import declaration can be filed in advance before the goods arrive at the bonded warehouse.
South Korea Consults on Health Functional Food Code
On June 10, 2021, MFDS issued two announcements (No. 2021-2521 and No. 2021-2532), soliciting public opinions on the drafts of “Health Functional Food Code”. Announcement No. 2021-252 proposed the precautions for intake of eight functional ingredients, including ginseng, red ginseng, chlorella, etc. Announcement No. 2021-253 mainly proposed new raw material for manufacturing Vitamin K2. Stakeholders can send suggestions to MFDS before August 10, 2021. (Find the details at ChemLinked News)
On June 14, 2021, MFDS rolled out the “On-Site Inspection Method and Standard of Imported Food from Overseas OEM”. This standard is newly formulated to regulate the standard of food manufacturing out of South Korea. It mainly clarifies the sanitation standard, inspection standard, and inspection exemptions, etc.
South Korea Updates Food Code
On June 29, 2021, South Korea revised the “Food Code”. The amendments include the general provision, pesticides and veterinary drugs residue limits, new raw materials, storage standard, new product type, testing methods, etc. (Find the details at ChemLinked News)
South Korea Consults on the Food Code
On June 30, 2021, MFDS published three drafts of “Food Code” (Amendments No. 2021-288, No. 2021-289, No. 2021-290) for public opinion.
Amendments No. 2021-288 introduces a subcategory of home meal replacement (HMR) products: meat HMR food. The document specifies the definition, manufacturing standard and specification. HMR food product is semi-prepared food materials. It is easy to cook at home and thus became a hot item in South Korea amid COVID-19 pandemic. At present, meat product is not included under HMR category. The increasing consumption demand of meat HMR food accelerated the authority’s legislation. Therefore, MFDS added the relevant provisions, intending to intensify the product safety control of the relevant product and promote food product innovation.
In addition, Amendment No. 2021-289 proposes to amend the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) of 58 pesticides in agricultural products. Amendment No. 2021-289 proposes to add MRL of 110 pesticides in agricultural products.
South Korea Revises Enforcement Rule of Imported Food Act
On June 30, 2021, MFDS promulgated the revised “Enforcement Rule of Imported Food Act”. The regulation requests an additional document for registering Foreign Food Facility (FFF) and a mandatory sanitary certificate for the imported livestock products. Additionally, the authority designated the overseas facilities manufactured kimchi as the first batch of FFF subject to HACCP. Other FFFs can also apply for HACCP accreditation if they comply with the HACCP criteria. The enterprise can use the HACCP label on the products after the FFF passes HACCP accreditation. (Find the details at ChemLinked News)
MHLW Approves Xylanase’s Safety Review
On June 2, 2021, Japan MHLW announced four substances that have passed the safety review procedures for recombinant DNA technology’s application, including Xylanase produced with the JPAo004 strain, Xylanase produced with the JPAo005 strain, Phospholipas produced with the JPBL004 strain, and Phospholipas produced with the JPBL005 strain.
Japan Revises the Food Additives Analysis Method in Food
On June 18, 2021, Japan MHLW unveiled an amendment for Food Additives Analysis Method in Food. The amendment added Iron Sesquioxide analysis method to each additive, amended the name “Alum” to “Aluinium ammonium sulfate and Aluminium potassium sulfate”, and modified the analysis method of 6 additives.
Japan Revises the Ingredient Standards for Beverage
On June 29, 2021, Japan MHLW unveiled an amendment to “Standards and Criteria for Food and Food Additives, etc.” According to the amendment, the ingredient standards of mineral water were revised. For further information, please check the ChemLinked News.
Japan Revised the Advance Confirmation Agreement for Imported Food
On June 29, 2021, Japan released the amendment to the Advance Confirmation Agreement for Imported Food. According to the amendment, if a manufacturer wants to update the registered food for the first time after June 29, 2021, apart from the “registration renewal application,” they are also required to attach the documents related to facilities and food hygiene management standards, which made by the person in charge of food hygiene. Besides, the revised revision came into effect on June 29, 2021, but the registered food under the validity period is still subject to the previous agreement. (Read more at ChemLinked)
CAA Issues Two Label Permission Notices
A nursing powdered milk is approved for using “the food for specified dietary uses” label. This product is suitable for babies with milk allergy, lactose intolerance and galactosemia. Besides, a beverage is approved for using “the food for specified health uses” babel. This product contains lactosucrose, which can keep the stomach in good condition. Up to June 18, 1,077 foods have been licensed as foods for specified health uses.
Indonesia Publishes Guidelines for Assessing Health Supplement Products Containing Probiotic
On June 3, 2021, Indonesia FDA published guidelines for assessing health supplement products containing probiotic. According to the guidelines, for health supplement products containing probiotic, supporting documents must be attached for the assessment. For new strain unapproved by BPOM, applicants should submit the application for the assessment in written form. In addition, health supplement products containing probiotic, which have achieved the circulation permit before the guideline, can still be sold on the market until the expiry of the permit.
India Re-extends the Import Approval to Foods for Inborn Errors of Metabolism Condition
On June 30, 2021, India FSSAI announced to re-extend the approval to infant foods for IEM condition till April 1, 2022 and specified its market access requirements. There are 15 inborn errors of metabolism conditions and 2 hypoallergenic conditions permitted in this announcement. Previously, India has already extended the approval once, till June 30, 2021. Check the previous ChemLinked News.
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