Asia Pacific Food Regulation Dynamics | November 2020

Regulation

NHC Approves Four New Food Additives and Two New FCM Additives

On Nov. 11, China National Health Commission (NHC) released the approval of four new food additives and two new FCM additives with expanded application scopes. The four additives are monascus red, citric acid, sucralose and sodium polyphosphate (processing aid). The two FCM additives are polyethylene and "2-propenoic acid, polymer with 1,3-butadiene and ethenylbenzene (resin)".

China Updates Catalogue of Feed Raw Materials and Feed Additives

On Nov. 16, China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MOARA) newly approved 3 feed raw materials, 3 feed additives and the expanded application scope of 2 feed additives. The three feed raw materials are egg, lucid ganoderma, and agaricus blazei murill. The three new feed additives are isopropyl ester of hydroxy analogue of methionine, sodium L- ascorbate and shellac. The two additives with expanded scope are methionine hydroxy analogue and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose. The complete list of China approved feed additives can be found on ChemLinked.

SAMR Releases a Supplement Test Method for Disinfectant Residue Determination in Baby Food

On Nov. 20, China State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) released a supplement test method called BJS 202007 Determination of Disinfectant Residue in Baby Food. This method stipulates the determination method - LC MS/MS method for 6 kinds of disinfectant residues in baby food. The 6 kinds of disinfectants are C₁₂-benz alkonium chloride, C₁₄-benz alkonium chloride, C₁₆-benz alkonium chloride, benzalkonium bromide, didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride and tetrabutylammonium hydrogen sulfate.

China Promulgates Special Food Registration On-site Inspection Requirements (Interim)

On Nov. 26, China SAMR released the official version of Special Food Registration On-site Inspection Requirements (Interim) which came into force on the same day. Compared with the previous consultation draft, this interim regulation revises particular requirements for health food registration on-site inspection.

China Issues New Management Method of Health Food Registration Alteration

On Nov. 26, China SAMR published a notification on management of health food registration alteration applications. According to this notification, health food registration alteration will be managed based on the referred regulations of the original registration approval. Health food products registered with currently prohibited functions (i.e., functions which were once approved but are no longer accepted by SAMR, such as tumor inhibition and antimutation) will probably be canceled.

China Publishes the Veterinary Pharmacopoeia 2020

On Nov. 26, China MOARA published the Veterinary Pharmacopoeia 2020, replacing the Veterinary Pharmacopoeia 2015, the Veterinary Drug Quality Standard 2017, and relevant veterinary drug quality standards published via MOARA notifications. The Veterinary Pharmacopoeia 2020 will come into effect on Jul. 1, 2021.

Hong Kong Regulation on Metallic Contamination in Foods Comes into Full Effect

The Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations of Hong Kong was published in October 2018. Initially becoming effective on Nov. 1, 2019 for fresh foods (e.g.., fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh meat and eggs, etc.), it became effective for all foods on Nov. 1, 2020.

Taiwan Stipulates Restrictions and Labeling Rules on Theobroma Cacao Bean Shell

On Nov. 24, Taiwan FDA released the Restriction and Labeling Rules for Food Raw Material Theobroma Cacao Bean Shell. This regulation stipulates that Theobroma Cacao Bean Shell can be used in brewing tea drinks. Food using this material must label warning terms like: "Children, pregnant women and women in their lactation period should avoid eating". This regulation came into effect immediately.

Taiwan Revises Test Method for Food Additive Specifications - Mannitol

On Nov. 25, Taiwan FDA released the revision of test method for food additive mannitol. This revision revises articles related to thin layer chromatography, nickel, lead, ignition residue and content determination. This revision came into effect immediately.

Taiwan Abolishes Two Test Methods for Veterinary Drug Residue in Foods

On Nov. 27, Taiwan FDA abolished Method of Test for Veterinary Drug Residue in Foods - Test of Antibiotic Class and Method of Test for Veterinary Drug Residues in Foods - Test of Antibiotic Substances. The removal was enacted immediately upon release.

Draft

China Consults on 38 GB Standards about Veterinary Drug Residue in Foods

On Nov. 11, China MOARA released 38 GB standards of test methods for veterinary drug residue in foods. The drafts included Determination of Xylazine Residue in Milk, Determination of Cephalosporins Residues in Animal-derived Products, etc.

China Consults on the Approval of 3 New Food Raw Materials and 5 New Food Additives

On Nov. 12, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment opened 3 new food raw materials and 5 new food additives for public feedback. The three new food raw materials are Rumex patientia L.×Rumex tianshanicus A. Los, Dihydroquercetin, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus MP108. The 5 additives are protease, tomato red, curdlan, butane, and phosphoric acid (wet process).

New Draft of Overseas Food Manufacturer Registration Provisions Includes All Foods

On November 16, 2020, China notified WTO about a new draft of Administrative Provisions on Registration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Foods. According to this draft, overseas manufacturers of all food categories (excluding food additives and food contact materials) should complete registration in China. And the registration is subject to different supervision measures based on the food risk level, and those deemed as high risk food will have more stringent requirements.

China Consults on Maximum Residue Limits for 75 Pesticides in Food

On Nov. 23, China MOARA consulted on maximum residue limits for 75 pesticides in food. The 75 pesticides include 2,4-d-dimethylamine, 2,4-d triethanolamine salt, mcpa-isopropylamine, etc. Comments should be sent to nyclbz@agri.gov.cn before Dec. 23, 2020.

China Consults on Series of Health Food Related Documents, Involving Function Catalogue, Function Evaluation and Human Consumption Trial

On Nov. 24, China SAMR released a series of draft regulations related to health food functions for public comments, involving function catalogue for non-nutrient supplement, function evaluation and human consumption trial. The function catalogue draft removes three functions "promoting lactation, improving growth and improving skin lipid". Comments should be sent to bjspzqyj@163.com or gkzqyj126@126.com before Dec. 23, 2020.

China Consults on Group Standard and Industrial Standard of Beverages

On Nov. 25, China Beverage Industry Association released group standards Fermented Beverage (Draft), Beverage Syrup (Draft) and an industrial standard Mixed Protein Beverage (draft) for public comments. Comments should be returned before Dec. 24, 2020.

Supervision

China Proposes to Add a Specific Mark for FSMP

On Nov. 17, China Nutrition and Health Food Association proposed to add a specific mark for food for special medical purposes and asked for public comments. The purpose of this proposal is to guarantee food safety and reduce false advertising via increasing the recognizability of FSMP and popularizing relevant knowledge.

Customs Rejection Data in October, Complementary Foods for Infants and Young Children Involved

On Nov. 25, General Administration of Customs (GAC) released customs rejection data in October. A total of 201 batches of imported food from 31 countries/regions were rejected. Six batches of complementary food for infants and young children and one batch of milk powder for children failed for non-compliant bacterial colony numbers, food additives, etc. 

South Korea Consults on Supporting Rules of HACCP Accreditation

On November 11, 2020, South Korea published the draft of Enforcement Rule of Special Act on Imported Food Safety Control to solicit public opinions. This exposure draft rolled out the supporting rules of HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) Accreditation for Foreign Food Facilities, including the facilities subject to HACCP accreditation, application for HACCP accreditation, validity period, enforcement date and interim measures, etc. Stakeholders could submit suggestions to fineapril@korea.kr prior to December 22, 2020.

South Korea Enacts the Food Additives Code

On November 13, 2020, MFDS issued the amended Food Additives Code. The scope of diluents for powder flavours is extended. The dextrin, starch, modified starch, Arabic gum, and silicon dioxide are to be permitted for diluting the "natural flavouring substances". Whilst the starch, modified starch, Arabic gum, and silicon dioxide are added as the diluents subject to "synthetic flavouring substances".

In addition, the English name of Vitamin D2, "Calciferol", is changed into "Ergocalciferol" in line with the international nomenclature. The test methods of ten items are optimized. The applicable scope of food sanitizer is expanded.

South Korea Revises Food Code

On November 26, 2020, MFDS disclosed the latest version of Food Code. According to the amendments, the "Foods for Special Medical Purpose" is subdivided into three categories: "Standard Nutritious Supplement," "Custom Nutritious Supplement" and "Diet Management Food with Menu (Menu Food)". The viscosity of "Food for the Elderly" is specified. The Maximum Residue Limits of 59 pesticides in agricultural products are modified. 

Japan Revises Limits of Pesticide and Veterinary Drug Residue in Food

On Nov. 16, 2020, Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) announced amendments to revise the residue limit of 9 pesticides and veterinary drugs in food, including Oxathiapiprolin, Tildipirosin, Nanafrocin, Pydiflumetofen, Pyrimidifen and Mefentrifluconazole. This revision will be implemented immediately upon release date.

Japan Consults on the Revision of Food and Food Additive Specification Standard

On Nov. 6, 2020, Japan released an amendment of Food and Food Additive Specification Standard for public consultation. According to this amendment, 4 substances will be added in Ordinance for Enforcement of the Food Sanitation Act as additives involved no risk to human health, and formulate their specification in Food and Food Additive Specification Standard.

As for soft-drinks, the revision is proposed to add a standard that other soft drink, when mixing lactic acid bacteria, yeast, fermented milk or lactic acid bacteria beverages after sterilization or degerming, the mixing process must be managed by appropriate methods that are not contaminated by pathogenic microorganisms.

8 Countries of Poultry were Rejected to Import Temporarily 

Affected by the bird flu that occurred in Kagawa Prefecture, The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan has successively issued notices prohibiting the import of poultry and poultry meat from some countries and regions temporarily. In November, over eight countries were affected such as the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Germany, the United States, France, Belgium, Poland, Sweden, etc. (Nov. 2020)

Thailand Revises Pesticide Residue in Foods

On Nov. 2, Thailand Ministry of Public Health released Notification No. 419 Foods Containing Pesticide Residues (No.3). This regulation revises pesticide residue standard in foods and relevant test methods. It also stipulates that chlorpyrifos and paraquat should not be detected in foods. This notification comes into effect on Jun.1, 2021.

Thailand Publishes Quality Standard for Imported Alcoholic Beverages

On Nov. 24, 2020, Thailand published the quality standard for imported alcoholic beverages. This standard covers three major categories: beer, wine and distilled liquor. It stipulates maximum limits, official test methods, result determination methods, etc. of heavy metal (lead, arsenic, copper, iron), food additive (sulfur dioxide, benzoic acid, sorbic acid), illegal additives and harmful residues (methanol, plasticizer, aldehydes) in these three categories. This standard came into effect immediately. 

Indonesia Publishes Guidelines for Baby Complementary Food

Indonesia published the Guidelines for Good Processed Food Production Practices for Complementary Foods to Breast Milk recently. This guideline is applicable to complementary food for babies from 6 months old to 24 months old. This guideline came into effect on Oct. 14, 2020.

India Consults on Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulation

On Nov. 1, India FSSAI released the draft of Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulation for public comments. This draft revises requirements of iodine content and labels for fortified milk powder.

India Consults on Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulation

On Nov. 10, India FSSAI released Food Safety and Standards (Import) Amendment Regulation for public comments. The amendment draft stipulates the requirements, documents and fees for overseas manufacturer registration. It also specifies that the validation of registration is 5 years.