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Regulations
China Publishes Degradable Plastic Products Classification and Labeling Guideline (Trial)
On Sept. 8, China National Light Industry Council published the Degradable Plastic Products Classification and Labeling Guideline. It stipulated the degradation performance requirements, classification, test methods, and labeling methods of degradable plastic products.
Taiwan Revises Labeling Method of Meat and Meat Products
On Sept. 17, Taiwan FDA published the revision of the labeling methods for meat and meat products. For packaged food using pork and edible parts of pig as raw materials, pork and edible parts of pig supplying catering places, the country/region of slaughter shall be labeled as country of origin. For bulk food using beef and edible parts of cattle, pork and edible parts of pig as raw materials, the country/region of slaughter shall be labeled as country of origin (excluding milk and beef tallow). (Source: Taiwan FDA)
Taiwan Revises Veterinary Drug Residue Limits
On Sept. 17, Taiwan FDA released the revision of Veterinary Drug Residue Limits in food. Residue limits of Ractopamine in muscle, fat, skin, liver, kidney and other edible parts of pigs were added. This revision will come into effect on Jan.1, 2021.
Taiwan Revises Quarantine and Inspection Procedures of Imported Beef
On Sept. 17, Taiwan FDA published Quarantine and Inspection Procedure Rules of Imported Beef. This regulation applies to imported beef and beef products from countries/regions where Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) once occurred. It will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2021.
Taiwan Publishes Method of Test for Mycotoxins and Sweeteners in Foods
On Sept. 2, Taiwan published revision of Method of Test for Mycotoxin in Foods - Test of Aflatoxin M1 and Method of Test for Mycotoxins in Foods - Test of Aflatoxins. In the test method of Aflatoxin M1, fermented milk in columns application scope and the preparation of test liquid was replaced by infant formula food. The test method of Aflatoxins expanded the application scope to currently include dried fruits, edible oil and fats, nuts, etc. On Sept. 9, Taiwan FDA published the Method of Test for Sweeteners in Food - Multiple Analysis. The revision of test of Aflatoxin M1 will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2021. The other two regulation came into effect on the date of publication. (Source: Taiwan FDA.)
Taiwan Revises Standards for Specification, Scope, Application and Limitation of Food Additives
On Sept. 29, Taiwan FDA released the revision of Standards for Specification, Scope, Application and Limitation of Food Additives. This revision adds the application scope and limitation of Lycopene (from Blakeslea trispora). It will come into force on January 1, 2023.
Draft
China Solicits Public Comments on 7 New Food Additives (ChemLinked News)
As revealed by the CFSA Notice released on September 27, 2020, China is consulting on the use of seven new ingredients, including two new varieties of enzymes (Alpha-amylase and Lactase), four new food additives (Silicon dioxide, Sodium alginate, Curdlan and Tamarind polysaccharide gum) and one food nutritional fortifier (6S-5-methyltetrahydrofolate calcium).
China Consults on GB Standards of Two Food Additives and One Nutritional Fortifier
On Sept. 5, China Food Additives & Ingredients Association opened the draft of GB standards for two food additives sodium starch octenyl succinate and β- Carotene, and one nutritional fortifier vitamin K2.
Taiwan Published Draft Regulation for Food Material Ilex guayusa
On Sept. 23, Taiwan FDA published the draft of Restriction and Labeling Rules for Food Material llex Guayusa. According to this draft, the llex Guayusa can only be used in brewing tea drinks after drying. Warning terms showing that children, women in pregnancy and lactation period should avoid eating shall be labeled. Any comments should be sent to Taiwan within 60 days from its publication.
China SAMR Consults on Nine Food Related GB/Ts
On Sept. 1, China SAMR released eleven GB/T exposure drafts. Nine of them relate to food or food contact material, they are:
Terminology of Baijiu industry,
Quality requirements for Baijiu - part 1: NongXiangXing Baijiu,
General rule for the quality of preserved fruits,
General quality of bread, general quality of biscuit,
General requirements for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle for drinks,
Laminated lidding film for food packaging,
Paper, aluminum foil and plastic laminated film and pouch for food packaging.
Any comments should be submitted before October 8th, 2020.
China Consults on GB/T Standard of Nuts and Seeds
On Sept. 4, China National Light Industry Council exposed the draft of GB/T 22165-20xx General Standard for the Quality of Nuts and Seeds for public comments. It is expected to replace GB/T 22165-2008 General Standard for Roasted Seeds and Nuts. Any comments should be submitted before November 4th, 2020.
China Consults on GB Standard for Test Methods of Pesticide Residue
On Sept. 15, China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China released four food safety standard drafts for public comments. They are:
Determination of 331 pesticides and metabolites, Residues in foods of plant origin, Liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry method,
Determination of four pesticides residues of nereistoxin such as thiosultap-monosodium in food of plant origin - Gas chromatography method,
Determination of desmedipham residue in foods of plant origin - Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method,
Determination of kasugamycin, validamycin A, ningnanmycin and polyoxin B residues in foods of plant origin Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method.
Any comments should be submitted before Oct. 12, 2020.
Supervision
China Carries Out Emergency Prevention Measures on Imported Frozen Food Manufactures (ChemLinked news)
On Sept. 11, China GAC released notification regarding emergency prevention measures on overseas manufacturers in which the imported frozen foods were tested positive for Covid-19. China GAC will suspend import declaration of overseas manufacturers for a period of time if the imported frozen foods or their packages are found to be Covid-19 positive. It came into effect immediately on the date of publication.
206 Batches of Imported Food from 39 Countries/Regions were Rejected in August (ChemLinked News)
On Sept. 16, China GAC released the list of non-compliant food products in August, 2020. The highest proportion of rejections were due to lack of required documentation (15.5%) and discrepancy between cargo and certificate (15.5%). Among non-compliant food products in August, one batch of high-calcium milk tablet from Australia was rejected for overuse of the food additive silicon dioxide.
China Publishes Management Standard of Using Green Food Signs (Trial)
On Sept. 8, China Green Food Development Center published the Management Standard of Using Green Food Signs (Trial). This standard stipulates the requirements for using green food signs on product packages and labels etc. This standard came into effect on its date of publication.
China Intensifies Geographical Indication Cooperation with EU
On Sept. 14, Minister of Commerce of China signed the Geographical Indication Protection and Cooperation Protocol between People’s Republic of China and European Union with German ambassador and EU ambassador. The protocol stipulated geographical indication protection rules and the list of mutual recognized geographical indications. 550 geographical indications were involved, including alcohol, tea, agricultural products and food, etc. On Sept. 24, National Intellectual Property Administration exposed the draft revision of Geographical Indication Protection Rules for public comments. According to this draft, foreign application of geographical indication should follow protocol between its country of origin and China, or follow this Protection Rules. Any comments should be submitted before Oct. 24. (Source: China Ministry of Commerce, China Ministry of Justice)
Regulation
South Korea Revises Labeling Requirements of Food (ChemLinked News)
Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) promulgated the latest revision of Enforcement Rule of Act on Labeling and Advertising of Foods on September 9, 2020. Liquid beverages with high caffeine content should label a warning for consumer safety. Additionally, the nutrient intake standard of foods for children under two years old should correspond with the Recommended Nutrient Intake.
South Korea Revises Health Functional Food Code (ChemLinked News)
MFDS revised the Health Functional Food Code on September 23, 2020. In the latest version, new precautions for nine ingredients are added as well as the new function of Chromium.
South Korea Signs Fishery Product Sanitation Agreement with Norway
MFDS signed the Fishery Product Sanitation Agreement with Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway (NFSA) on September 23, 2020. The agreement includes the requirements about the exporting country’s safety management on food facility, the issuance of the sanitation certificate, and the measures of suspending the import, investigating the cause when a violation is demonstrated.
On September 24, 2020, MFDS released the amendments to Registration and Management Standard of Good Importer and Good Foreign Food Facility to optimize the regulation of on-site inspection. The on-site inspection can be delayed when the foreign food facility hasn't been producing foods for over one year or when the facility location's environment is not proper for on-site inspect due to the pandemic, terrorism, etc.
Draft
MFDS released the draft of Countries (Regions) Allowed for Import of Livestock Products and Import Sanitation Requirements on September 17, 2020. The draft required the exporting countries to submit the plans and recording of controlling the residues in livestock products to Korea every year. The consultation period is set to end by October 7, 2020. Any suggestion can be sent to MFDS.
South Korea Consults on Food Labeling Standard
MFDS unveiled the exposure draft of Food Labeling Standard on September 18, 2020. The draft is to permit the claims of "sugar-free", "no sugar added". Moreover, the cafés and other stores providing coffee are required to label the caffeine contents. Stakeholders can send suggestions to MFDS prior to October 19, 2020.
South Korea Consults on Food Code
MFDS unveiled the exposure draft of Food Code on September 28, 2020. The draft laid out the amendments to the standard of clostridium perfringens in Kimchi, pickled foods, and other four products. Eight raw materials, including mock buckthorn, Northern shrimp, etc., were proposed to be added to the food material positive list. The draft also adjusted the heavy metal contents remaining in fish oil and the microorganisms in coffee beverages. Stakeholders can send suggestions to MFDS prior to November 27, 2020.
Japan Updated the List of Countries Acceptable for Sanitary Certificates
Japan updated the requirements of dairy products' sanitary Certificates. The sanitary Certificates issued by Iceland, Bhutan and India are accepted. By now Japan has approved the health certificate from 46 countries. (Sept. 10 , 2020)
Japan Revised Pesticide Residue Standards and Test Methods (ChemLinked news)
On Sept.14, 2020. Japan MHLW announced to revise the residue limit of 6 pesticides and veterinary drugs, they are Cyclaniliprole, Diquat, Tebuconazole, Broflanilide, Betamethasone and Benzpyrimoxan. In addition, the existing Dexamethasone test method had been deletedand a new Dexamethasone test method and Betamethasone test method were proposed instead for analyzing Dexamethasone and Betamethasone respectively.
Japan Consults on Add Two Designated Additives
On Sept.23, 2020. Japan proposed to add L- Potassium tartrate and Metatartaric to the designated additive list. Meanwhile, specifications for L-potassium tartrate, metatartaric acid, and calcium carbonate II will established in the draft. Any comments should be submitted before Oct 24.
Regulation
India Drafts the New Standards for Dairy Products (ChemLinked News)
On Sep. 3rd, 2020, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) unveiled the sixth amendment to Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2020, which included the requirements for low lactose/lactose free milk, mozzarella cheese, and dairy permeate powders. It came into force from the date of promulgation, and food business operators shall comply with all these requirements by Jul. 1st, 2021.
Thailand Bans Online sales of Alcoholic Beverages
On Sept. 8, Thailand Government Gazette notified that according to Alcoholic Beverage Control Act B.E. 2551, Ban on Online Sales of Beverages Containing Alcohol was made. This regulation will come into effect on December 17th, 2020.
Vietnam Released the List of Imported Goods not Allowed to be Deposited in Bonded Warehouses
On Sept.21, Vietnam published the Regulations on List of Imported Goods Not to be Deposited in Bonded Warehouses. The list includes whiskey with a capacity of over 50 ml which does not originate from Vietnam. This regulation will take effect on November 15, 2020.
Thailand Publishes Tax Regulations on Fruit and Vegetable Juice Drinks
On Sept. 6, Thailand published Tax Rules, Procedures and Conditions for Fruit and Vegetable Juice Drinks Added with Nutritional Substances or Other Substances. This regulation stipulates mandatory labeling information, tax procedures and required documents, sampling test methods of fruit and vegetable juice drinks added with nutritional substances or other substances.
India to Operationalize Prohibition Regulation of Mustard Oil
On Sept. 22, India FFSAI announced to revise Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Amendment Regulation. The revision prohibits blending in mustard oil. It will come into effect on Oct. 1st, 2020.
Supervision
Vietnam Strengthens COVID-19 Test on Imported Frozen Food
On Sept. 3, Department of Veterinary Services announced that it has started COVID-19 test on about 200 imported frozen food samples from 15 countries an region, the products include meat, shrimp, and chicken wing.
India FSSAI Extends Timeline for Compliance of Food Package Standards
On Sept. 14, India FSSAI announced they would extend the timeline for compliance of "sub-regulation 3(9)" relating to printing inks for use on food packages of the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, where several IS standards are cross referred w.r.t. various packaging materials for mandatory compliance. Food Business Operators shall ensure compliance with the revised IS standards by either 1st January or 1st July of 2021 as case may be subject to a minimum of 180 days' transition period from the date of publication of such standards by Bureau of Indian Standards.
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