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Supervision
Priority Review of Overseas Manufacturer Registration
As revealed by a letter from GAC to overseas embassies, current exporters of 4 product categories (meat, aquatic, dairy and bird nest) which have already been registered will continue to be recognized by GAC with no need for re-registration. For manufacturers who newly apply for registration and intend to start exportation to China, they should complete the registration process following the requirements specified in "Measures for the Safety Administration of Imported and Exported Foods" and "Administrative Provisions on Registration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Foods". Enterprises producing food products other than 18 food categories subject to recommendation registration can register relevant information on China International Trade Single Window Service System.
Tmall Global Unveils Product Specification for Imported Probiotics Products
On Oct. 8, 2021, Tmall Global, a major CBEC platform in China, unveiled the product specification for imported probiotics products on the basis of GB standards, which regulated the technical requirements, testing methods and evaluation criteria for imported probiotics products sold on Tmall Global. The specification took effect on Oct. 15, 2021. After its implementation, only products compiled with the specification are eligible to be sold on the CBEC platform.
Officials Reveal Supervision and Regulatory Trends for FSMP Products and Probiotic Health Foods in China
During the 6th China Special Food Conference held from Oct. 15 to 18, Yang Xiaoguang, the major drafter of “General Rules for Foods for Special Medical Purpose (GB 29922)” brought the newest revision progress of this GB standard. Yang indicated that the consultation draft would be released for public feedback at the end of October this month. He also predicted China would likely to approve the amendment in 2022. Check ChemLinked News for more details.
Besides, Wan Chao, Director of Health Food Registration Division under Special Food Safety Supervision and Management Department of State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), disclosed that SAMR is now considering the feasibility to approve some probiotic health foods by filing instead of registration, and the "Catalogue of Health Functions Allowed for Health Food Claims" is under revision. Check ChemLinked News for more details.
268 Batches of Imported Food Products Rejected by China Customs in September 2021
On Oct. 27, 2021, China General Administration of Customs (GAC) published the list of non-compliant food products in September. A total of 268 batches of imported food from 41 countries/regions were rejected. The largest proportion of non-compliant imported food in September came from Japan, Vietnam and United States. It is noteworthy that 18 batches of health supplements, 4 batches of dairy products and 3 batch of sports nutrition food were rejected in September.
SAMR Encourages Dairy Manufacturers to Indicate Expiration Date More Comprehensively
On Oct. 28, 2021, China SAMR issued a notice to encourage manufacturers to indicate the expiration date for refrigerated dairy products more comprehensively. Both the production date and shelf life should be indicated on the label. Expressions can be "the expiration date will be yyyy/mm/dd" or "please eat (drink) before yyyy/mm/dd". All labeling contents shall comply with the provisions in GB7718 General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods.
Regulation
15 New Food Ingredients and Food-related Products Granted Approval in China
As revealed by a notification released on Oct. 22, 2021, China National Health Commission (NHC) officially approved the use of 15 new food ingredients and food-related products, including 1 new food raw material, 9 new food additives and 5 food-related products. Advantame is approved to be used in carbonated drinks in China.
Taiwan Abolishes Four Food Regulations in October
In October, Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced to abolish four regulations, namely, “Method of Test for Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Foods” and “Method of Test for Heavy Metals in Food Grade Salt - Test of Mercury, Arsenic, Copper, Lead and Cadmium”. The reason of abolishment was they were covered by other existed regulation and new test method.
Taiwan Amends Multiple Testing Methods for Microorganism, Heavy Metals and contaminants in Food
In October, Taiwan FDA released the amended multiple testing methods for microorganism, heavy metals and contaminants in food, including tests of Propionic Acid, Sheep/goat ingredient, Ochratoxin A, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes in dairy foods, Aflatoxin B1 in foods for infant and young child, and volatile basic nitrogen in aquatic products.
Draft
China Consults on Administrative Measures for Registration of Foods for Special Medical Purpose
On Oct 18, 2021, China SAMR unveiled the exposure draft of "Administrative Measures for Registration of Foods for Special Medical Purpose". The draft involves the onsite inspection requirements, principle of clinical trial, product supervision, registration modification & renewal. Notably, the priority review and approval procedure are newly set, which applies to food for special medical purposes products for rare diseases or in urgent clinical demand. Any comments can be sent back to SAMR prior to Nov. 18, 2021.
China Consults on 11 New Varieties of Food Additives
On Oct. 21, 2021, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) opened 11 new varieties of food additives for public feedback, including seven new food additives and four food additives with expanded application scope. Any comment can be sent back to [email protected] prior to Nov. 18, 2021.
China Consults on 34 National Food Safety Standards, Including 10 for Food Related Products
On Oct. 25, 2021, China opened 34 national food safety standards for public feedback, including 10 standards for food-related products, 2 manufacturing practices for special food, 2 hygienic practices for meat products, 2 rules for microorganisms and 10 determination methods for foods. Any feedback can be submitted to China's Management & Information System of National Food Safety Standards prior to Nov. 20, 2021.
China Consults on 10 New Varieties of Food-related Products
On Oct. 27, China CFSA opened 10 new varieties of food-related products for public feedback, including three new additive varieties used in food contact materials (FCM) and articles, two FCM additives with expanded application scope, and five new resins. Any comment can be sent back to [email protected] prior to Nov. 18, 2021.
China Solicits Public Opinions on Lists of Bacterial Cultures for Foods and Baby Foods
As revealed by a notice on Oct. 28, 2021, China is consulting on the amendment to "List of Bacterial Cultures for Foods" and "List of Bacterial Cultures for Baby Foods". The amendment systematically adjusts the names and classification of bacterial cultures in line with international regulations and latest research. In addition, bacterial cultures in those two lists are detailed to subspecies for the first time. Any feedback can be sent to [email protected] prior to Nov. 28, 2021.
China Consults on the Residue Limits of 41 Veterinary Drugs in Food
On Oct. 29, 2021, China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control opened "Maximum Residue Limits for 41 Veterinary Drugs in Foods" for public feedback. This draft was proposed to be a supplement to "GB 31650-2019 Maximum Residue Limits for Veterinary Drugs in Foods". Any comment can be sent back to [email protected] prior to Nov. 28, 2021.
Taiwan Consults on Two Testing Methods for Foods
On Oct. 7, 2021, Taiwan FDA announced to commence public consultation for the drafting of " Method of Test for Heavy Metals in Infant and Young Child Foods" and “Method of Test for Phosphoric Acid in Beverage”. The former is applicable to the determination of cadmium and lead in infant formula food, cereal complementary food and non-staple food. Any comment can be sent back to [email protected] before Dec. 6, 2021.
Taiwan to Revise the Regulation on Nutrition Claim for Prepackaged Food Products
On Oct. 13, 2021, Taiwan FDA released a consultation draft of "Regulation on Nutrition Claim for Prepackaged Food Products". As revealed by the draft, more nutrients claiming physiological effects, including protein, vitamin B6, etc., are permitted to be used in foods for special consumption groups like pregnant women. When foods bear more than one nutrition claim, the calculation of the amount of nutrients should use a same form of the product (solid, semi-solid or liquid). For those choosing liquid as the form for calculation, the unit of calculation should be "100 mL" or "100 calories". Any opinion can be sent to [email protected] within 60 days.
South Korea Consults on Regulation on Declaration and Inspections of Imported Livestock Products
On October 5, 2021, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) drafted the amendments of "Regulation on Declaration and Inspections of Imported Livestock Products". The authority intended to give priority to import inspections on livestock products in urgent need. MFDS also drafted to intensify the safety control on imported food with non-compliance records. Suggestions are welcome before December 3, 2021.
South Korea Promulgates the Enforcement Rule of Food Labeling Act
As South Korea banned the food products simulating chemicals or school supplies in August, MFDS detailed the relevant labels and advertisements requirements in the updated "Enforcement Rule of Food Labeling Act". The regulation specified that food products are prohibited from using the labels or advertisements similar to a "household chemical product subject to safety confirmation" under the "Act on the Safety Management of Household Chemicals and Biocides" or a “school supplier" under the ‘Special Act on the Safety of Products for Children”. These amendments were implemented on October 12, 2021.
Japan Revises the Test Method of Deoxynivalenol in Wheat
On Oct. 4, Japan MHLW issued an announcement stating that the test method for deoxynivalenol in wheat was amended. However, the original test method can still be used before April 1, 2022.
Japan Revises the Residue Limits of Three Pesticides in Food
On Oct. 19, 2021, Japan implemented new maximum residue limits (MRLs) of three pesticides in foods, including Tolfenpyrad, Fenquinotrione, and Flazasulfuron. Particularly, the MRLs for the pesticides Tolfenpyrad and Flazasulfuron in food were further lowered. The amendments came into effect immediately after the promulgation, but some foods are granted a one-year transition period, such as broccoli, tomato and strawberry.
Japan Proposes to Modify Miscible Substances in Alcoholic Beverages
On October 25, 2021, Japan unveiled an amendment of miscible substances in alcoholic beverages for public consultation. According to the amendment, argon will be allowed to be miscible in the preservation of alcoholic beverages. Besides, argon will be deleted from the list that is allowed to be miscible in fruit wine and sweet fruit wine. Any comment can be submitted before November 30.
Japan Consults on Food Labeling Standard
On Oct. 27, 2021, Japan opened the amendment of the "Food labeling Standards" for public consultation. According to the amendment, Japan planned to revise the standards for food nutrition labels and genetically modified food. Any comments can be submitted before November 26, 2021.
Japan Revises the Imported Food Monitoring Plan 2021
On October 29, Japan MHLW released an amendment for "Imported Food Monitoring Plan 2021". according to the amendment, the inspection item of 2-chloroethanol has been added for vegetable in Table 8.
Japan Publicly Solicits Opinions on the Evaluation of Three Substances
In October, the Japanese Food Safety Commission passed the food safety risk assessment of abscisic acid, DP202216, and Glucoamylase produced using the JPAN009 strain, and believed that they would not cause adverse effects on food health, Now Japan is soliciting opinions on the assessment result from the public. The deadlines for opinions are November 4, November 11, and November 25, respectively.
Japan Rejects 51 Batches of Imported Food in October 2021
According to MHLW's notification, 51 batches of food products imported from 17 countries/regions were found non-compliant in October 2021. Most non-compliant food is from China and Thailand. The violation of food and additives standards was the main cause.
Two Products Granted Labeling Approval in October
In October, Japan Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) newly approved the labeling license for three products. One prepared frozen food was allowed to label as food for specified health uses. Besides, one infant formula was allowed to label as food for special dietary uses. Up to now, 1,073 health foods have been licensed as foods for specified health uses.
Japan Adjusts to Imported Poultry Meat in October
In October, affected by the bird flu, Japan re-allowed the importation of poultry meat from a list of countries, including France, Denmark, etc. At the same time, Japan's MAFF also announced temporary restrictions on the import of poultry meat from the United States, Ukraine, etc. Details are as follows.
Condition | Country/regions |
Re-allow imports | Tauragė County and Marijampolė in Lithuania, Landes,Hautes-Pyrénées, Gers, Lot-et-Garonne in France, Denmark, Kent, Cheshire, Norfolk, Suffolk in Britain |
Temporarily stop importing |
Thailand to Shorten the Evaluation Period of Food Safety Documents
As revealed by Thailand FDA, to facilitate the business operations, since Oct. 1, 2021, the evaluation period of food safety documents has been shortened by reducing approval/ authorization process. According to MOPH's No. 376 Announcement , the evaluation period of new food or other food has been reduced from 144 working days to 40 working days. For foods containing probiotics outside the list of probiotics approved by MOPH, the evaluation period of food safety has been adjusted from 293 working days to 40 working days.
India Implements the Amendment to Standards of Desiccated Coconut
On Oct. 13, 2021, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) announced to bring the amendment to standards of desiccated coconut approved on May. 29, 2020 into force. For facilitation and to avoid any trouble to food business operators, the existing standards of grated desiccated coconut shall also remain valid till the final notification of the amendment.
India Solicits Public Comments on General Guidelines on Sampling for Microbiological Analysis
According to the notice issued on Oct. 13, 2021, FAASI opened "General Guidelines on Sampling for Microbiological Analysis" for public comments. The guidelines are composed of two parts, part A for general guidelines on sampling and part B for sampling procedures of different food categories. Any comments can be sent to [email protected] within 30 days after the notice released.
India to Revise Regulations Regarding Fowl Eggs, Double Toned Milk and Others
On Oct. 20, 2021, FSSAI unveiled the "Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulations, 2021", which mainly revised the provisions relating to fowl eggs, lowering the fat content for double toned milk, limits of naturally occurring formaldehyde in finfish and shellfish, and standards for basmati rice, etc. Any feedback can be submitted online within 60 days from the release of the amendment.
Thailand to Make Food Safety Evaluation Obligatory for Foods Containing kratom
On Oct. 22, 2021, Thailand FDA revealed that the amendment to the "Prescribed Prohibited Food to be Produced, Imported, or Sold" has been in progress, which proposed to allow the use of kratom (Mitragyna Speciosa) for food manufacturers. Meanwhile, in consideration of the harm caused by the excessive consumption, FDA announced that foods containing kratom must pass the safety evaluation, and manufacturers shall apply for approval before using kratom.
Thailand Consults on Extraction Solvent for Use in Food Production
On Oct. 28, 2021, Thailand FDA opened the consultation draft of "Extraction Solvent for Use in Food Production" for public feedback. The draft specifies a list of seven common solvents used for extraction in food production, including the chemical substance's name, INS and CAS code, applicable food type, allowable maximum use limit, and allowable maximum residue limit in food. Any opinion can be sent to [email protected] before Nov. 20, 2021.
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