Asia Pacific Food Regulation Dynamics | May 2021

Supervision

China Fined Abbott Nine Million Yuan for the Detection of Vanillin in Stage 1 Infant Formula

On May 6, 2021, Shanghai State Administration of Market Regulation (SAMR) announced to fine Abbott over 9.09 million yuan for the detection of vanillin in its stage 1 infant formula. Besides, a total of 3.43 million yuan of illegal income would be confiscated as well. In China, vanillin is a forbidden substance in stage 1 infant formula (for infants from 0-6 months) and can only be used in stage 2 and 3 infant formula products (for babies from 6-12 months and 12-36 months, respectively) at a maximum of 5mg/100mL. Check ChemLinked database to learn the usage of vanillin.

China Customs Rejected 157 Batches of Imported Food in April 2021

On May. 21, 2021, General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) released the list of non-compliant food products in April. A total of 157 batches of imported food from 29 countries/regions were rejected. Thailand, Hong Kong and Vietnam are the top three countries/regions in numbers of rejections/rejected product. Aquatic products, meat, and wine & beverage accounted for the majority of the rejections. Besides, rejections are mostly owing to unqualified food label, with reasons like the discrepancy between cargo and certificate, or the lack of required documents or evidential materials.

Regulation

Taiwan to Restrict the Use of Purging Cassia Fruit in Food

On May. 12, 2021, Taiwan FDA issued a regulation to forbid the use of purging cassia (Cassia fistula L.) fruit in food, which will come into force on July 1, 2021. However, food products containing purging cassia fruit can continue to be sold the market until their expiry date if the production date of domestic products or the imported date of imported products are before the implementation date.

Taiwan Revises the Existing and Set a New Test Methods for Determination of Animal Drug Residues in Food

Taiwan FDA revised "Test Method for Determination of Animal Drug Residues in Food — Multiresidue Analysis of β-Agonists" on May. 27, 2021. As revealed by the amendment, the application scope is extended, and the nitrogen concentration unit is included as an apparatus. Besides, FDA unveiled "Multiresidual Analysis of β-Lactam Antibiotics" on the same day, which is applicable to the determination of 19 β-lactam antibiotics such as amoxicillin in livestock, poultry and aquatic products. Check the details in ChemLinked database.

Taiwan Releases Test Method for Heavy Metals in Eggs

Taiwan FDA released "Test Method for Heavy Metals in Eggs" on May. 31, 2021, which is applicable to the determination of copper and lead content in eggs. 0.2 mg / kg copper content and 0.02 mg / kg lead content were given in the Test Method as the limit of quantification.

Taiwan Revises Multiple Existing and Added a New Testing Methods for Food Additives

On May. 31, 2021, Taiwan FDA amended the testing methods for multiple food additives, including ammonium alum, L-theanine and sodium dihydrogen phosphate. Besides, the testing method for mogroside extract was issued for the first time. Check the details in ChemLinked database.

Draft

Taiwan to Amend Special Dietary Foods for Rare Diseases

On May. 12, 2021, Taiwan FDA announced to commence a 60-day period of public comments for the amendment draft of "Special Dietary Foods for Rare Diseases". The draft mainly revised terms of some special dietary foods and indications, and added the approved manufactories to the list.

Taiwan to Revise Regulations Governing the Labeling of Small Prepackaged Food

On May. 18, 2021, Taiwan FDA consulted on "Draft Regulations Governing the Labeling of Small Prepackaged Food" for the second time, and any comments should be sent back prior to Jul. 18. As revealed by the draft, small prepackaged food refers to prepackaged food where the largest surface is less than 20 cm². The draft details the labelling requirements for small prepackaged food. In addition to the product name and expiry date shall be labeled on the outer packaging, the labeling items shall be electronically accessible on the outer packaging of the product by using QR Code or other electronic means.

South Korea Consults on the Regulation on the Inspection of Imported Food

On May 10, 2021, South Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) revealed the draft of "Regulation on the Inspection of Imported Food" for public opinions. The authority mainly proposed to intensively inspect the products with historically high non-compliance frequency in pesticide residue. Additionally, the draft adds a new safe food products list designated by MFDS and optimizes the pre-inspection requirements for agricultural products shipped by bulk carriers. Stakeholders can send suggestions to MFDS before July 9, 2021.

South Korea Consults on the Regulations on the Inspection of Imported Health Functional Food

On May 10, 2021, MFDS unveiled the draft of "Regulations on the Inspection of Imported Health Functional Food". The draft mainly proposed to clarify the requirements of thorough inspection. Suppose an imported food product with a history of non-compliance is shipped to South Korea again. In that case, the product shall undergo a thorough inspection, including an inspection on the previous non-compliance item.

South Korea Consults on the Legislation of Food Imported via Online Channels

South Korea hasn’t established any requirements related to imported goods purchased online before. As more consumers prefer online shopping to buy overseas products, especially food products, some members of the legislative assembly regarded it necessary to roll out relevant provisions. On May 12, 2021, ten assemblymen proposed to add the requirements of unveiling the information of risk overseas food products on the websites in the Enforcement Rule of Imported Food Act as the legal basis.

According to the South Korean Food Policy 2021, MFDS planned to supervise the food safety of online purchased imported in three stages: purchasing, import declaration, and distribution. The assemblymen's proposal can be seen as the starting point of the Korean authority's management of imported food sold online.

South Korea Consults on Regulation of False Labeling or Advertising Contents of Food

On May 17, 2021, MFDS disclosed the draft of "Regulation of False Labeling or Advertising Contents of Food" to solicit public opinions. This draft expanded the scope of prohibited "sugar-free" labels and advertisements following the requirements in the "Food Labeling Standard". The draft also permits the "natural, nature (천연/자연)" claims when the relevant contents are indicated in a brand name. In addition, some inaccurate labeling and advertisement examples are modified. Stakeholders can send suggestions to MFDS prior to July 16, 2021.

South Korea to Revise the Registration and Management Standard for Good Importer and Good Foreign Food Facility

On May 21, 2021, MFDS released the draft of the "Registration and Management Standard for Good Importer and Good Foreign Food Facility". The draft mainly proposes to amend the Standard’s name into "Registration and Management Standard for Good Importer", as the "good foreign food facility" registration mechanism was replaced by HACCP. The provisions about "good foreign food facility" are deleted along as well. The draft also optimizes the overseas facility inspection requirements. The consultation period is set to end by June 9, 2021.

South Korea to Amend the Food Labeling Standard

On May 25, 2021, MFDS proposed to revise the "Food Labeling Standard". The main amendments include:

(1) Improving the legibility of the "containing less than 1% alcohol" claim on non-alcoholic food by using different background color;

(2) Adding examples of labeling the number of lactic acid bacteria in food;

(3) Exempting the content labeling of natural food in transparent packaging;

Suggestions are welcome before July 26, 2021.

South Korea to Permit Food Container Use the Recycled Packaging Materials

On May 29, 2021, MFDS issued the draft of "Standards and Specifications Concerning Apparatus, Containers and Packages". In an effort to promote resource recycling, MFDS and the Ministry of Environment (MOE) planned to permit enterprises to use the recycled colorless PET bottles as the raw material of food containers. The competent authorities also drafted the standards for the appropriate recycled packaging materials to ensure food safety. The standards were established based on international recognized standards. The consultation period is set to end on June 27.

South Korea Revises the Enforcement Rule of Act on Labeling and Advertising of Foods

MFDS promulgated the revised "Enforcement Rule of Act on Labeling and Advertising of Foods" on May 27, 2021. The regulation newly demands 29 food categories to place the "nutrition facts label", and specifies the "general food with function claims" to go through a "voluntary review of labeling or advertising" before marketing.

South Korea Introduces the Good Elderly Food Certificate Mechanism

On May 31, 2021, the Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) promulgated the "good elderly food certificate mechanism" to meet the increasing demand for high-quality elderly food. The standards for the product's viscosity, nutrition ingredients, label, etc. are specified. Besides, the "good elderly food" shall be manufactured in a HACCP facility or a health functional food facility. Enterprises can apply for the certificate to National Food Cluster.

South Korea Publishes the Guideline of Veterinary Drug Residue in Food

On May 11, 2021, MFDS disclosed the Guideline of Veterinary Drug Residue in Food. The guideline is to help the enterprises better understand the requirements of veterinary drug residues at home and abroad. It contains two part：

Part 1. Maximum Residue Limits of Veterinary Drugs in South Korea

Part 2. International Maximum Residue Limits of Veterinary Drugs (Codex, US, Japan, Europe, etc.)

The veterinary drug list is written in both English and Korean.

South Korea Releases the Guideline on Understanding the Usage Standard for Food Additives

On May 24, 2021, MFDS published the "Guideline on Understanding the Usage Standard for Food Additives". The guideline aims to help enterprises better understand the usage standards for food additives stipulated under the Food Additive Code.

Japan Updates the List of Countries Acceptable for Sanitary Certificates, Colombia Included

On May 10, 2021, Japan updated the requirements for dairy products' sanitary certificates, which stated that the sanitary certificates issued by Colombia would be accepted. By now Japan has approved the health certificates from 51 countries/regions. (Reference Link)

Three Products Were Granted Food for Specified Health Uses in Japan

In May, Japan Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) newly approved three products. After the promulgation, they can be labeled as food for specified health uses. Up to now, CAA approved a total of 1,076 products.

Japan Approves the Amendment to Food and Drug Ingredients Distinguishing List

On May 12, 2021, MHLW officially approved the addition of Garcinia indic, Acmella oleracea, Diosgnein, Theacrine and the overground part of sesame into the appendix 2. The ingredients listed in appendix 2 can be used as common food ingredients as long as they do not claim medicinal efficacy). In addition, the alias of Rokuzyô is changed to "Cervus nippon, Cervus elaphus, Cervus canadensis and Cervidae".

Japan Consults on Pesticides and Veterinary Drugs Revision

On May 19, 2021, Japan opened an amendment of the "Food and Food Additive Specification Standard" for public consultation. Based on the amendment, eight pesticides and veterinary drugs will be modified, namely, Kasugamycin, Chloropicrin, Trenbolone Acetate, Dibutylhydroxytoluene, Validamycin, Fenpropathrin, Prochloraz, and 1-methylcyclopropene. Any comments shall be submitted before June 17, 2021.

MHLW Approves the Safety Review of Xylanase

On May 19, 2021, Japan MHLW announced that xylanase produced with the JPBL006 strain has passed the safety review procedures for the recombinant DNA technology applications.

Japan Approves New Countries/Regions for Meat Import

Only meat products imported from countries, regions, or facilities designated by Japan MHLW can be sold in Japan from June 1, 2021. On May 26, 36 countries/regions were newly granted the meat exportation approval to Japan.

Japan Unveils the Requirements for Meat Sanitary Certificates

On May 31, 2021, MHLW announced that Japan would accept the sanitary certificates issued by the countries/regions designated by MHLW. But if the certificate's content is incomplete, the importer shall submit additional certificates of related matters issued by the embassy in Tokyo or the exporting country/region's government. The imported meat products must be attached with sanitary certificates issued by the exported countries/regions.

Japan Revises the Residue Limits of Four Pesticides and Veterinary Drugs in Food

On May 27, 2021, Japan MHLW unveiled the amendment to "Standards and Criteria for Food and Food Additives, etc." with immediate effect, which mainly revised the maximum residue limits (MRLs) of four pesticides and veterinary drugs. They are Ethaboxam, Tioxazafen, Fenbuconazole, and "Oxfendazole, Febantel, Fenbendazole". However, the MRLs in some food has a one-year transition period. Check more details in ChemLinked News.

Singapore Consults on Food Regulations 2021, the Use of 2’-FL in Infant Formula Involved

As revealed by WTO notification (G/SPS/N/SGP/69) issued on May 3, 2021, Singapore opened "Draft Food (Amendment No. X) Regulations 2021" for public feedback. WTO members should submit their comments prior to July 2, 2021. The proposed amendments include new food additives and usage requirements, specifying the use of 2'-fucosyllactose/difucosyllactose (2'-FL/DFL) mixture and Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT) in infant formula. In addition to extending the scope of existing food additives, the draft revises the maximum limits for heavy metals in food and specifies the purity requirements of food additives.

Thailand Unveils Four Drafts of Ministerial Regulation on Food Contact Material

According to WTO notification issued on May 11, 2021, Thailand consulted on four drafts of ministerial regulation regarding food contact materials. The consultation period for WTO members will last 60 days. G/TBT/N/THA/613 covers plastic containers for drinking water, specifying sizes, materials, requirements for appearance, mark and labels, sampling and criteria for conformity and testing. G/TBT/N/THA/614 and G/TBT/N/THA/615 identify types and abbreviations, materials, general requirements, packaging, marking and labeling, sampling and criteria for conformity and testing in terms of plastic containers for microwave oven. G/TBT/N/THA/616 requires fluoropolymer coated utensils in contact with food to conform with the standard TIS 2622-2556(2013). In addition, the draft covers "only utensils formed from a metal substrate, and directly food contact side coated with fluoro polymer use for cooking with heat," and excludes cooking utensils and electric appliances.

Thailand Releases the National Standard for Solid Herbal Tea

On May 13, 2021, Thailand MOPH released the national standard for solid herbal tea, which applies to both domestic and imported products. The standard specifies product definition and classification, physical and chemical indexes such as moisture content, hygienic standards for microorganisms, pesticide residues and pollutants, requirements for the use of food additives, special requirements for packaging and labeling, etc. Check the details in ChemLinked database.

Malaysia Revises the MRL of Propiconazole in Food

On May 20, 2021, Malaysia Food Safety and Quality Division issued a corrigendum to amend the MRLs of propiconazole in food from 0.0 mg/kg (which was stipulated in "Food (Amendment) (No.3) Regulations 2020") to 0.05 mg/kg.