Update | China Unveils Amino Acid Management on Foods for Special Dietary Uses

Update

On November 30, 2023, China National Health Commission (NHC) and State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) jointly unveiled Announcement on Amino Acid Management on Foods for Special Dietary Uses, with immediate effect.

On September 14, 2023, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) issued an exposure draft of Announcement on Amino Acid Management on Foods for Special Dietary Uses. The draft focuses on the management of amino acid as a nutritional fortification substance in foods for special dietary uses. Any feedback can be submitted before October 7, 2023.

Key points

The draft specifies the requirements on: (1) the use of amino acid as a nutritional fortification substance in foods for special dietary use; (2) the production raw materials and production processes of amino acid; (3) as well as the test methods for various physicochemical indicators of amino acid. Key details are shown as follows:

• The draft summarizes and improves the requirements on the use of 22 amino acids as nutritional fortification substances in GB standards related to foods for special dietary uses, such as GB 10765 Infant formula, GB 10766 Older Infant Formula, GB 25596 Infant Formula Foods for Special Medical Purposes, GB 29922 Foods for Special Medical Purposes and GB 24154 Sports Nutrition Food. Below is a partial list of amino acids.

• In addition to the indicators presented in the above partial list, other physicochemical indicators covered by the draft include loss on drying, residue on ignition, lead, and arsenic.

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