[Updated] China Unveils National Food Safety Standard Legislation Plan for 2023

Update: On June 30, 2023, China NHC officially unveiled the National Food Safety Standard Legislation Plan for 2023, with no substantial changes.

On March 8, 2023, China National Health Commission (NHC) proposed the consultation draft of national food safety standard legislation plan for 2023. A total of 39 food standards are listed in the proposed plan, including 17 standards to be formulated and 22 standards to be revised. These standards cover food additives, food testing methods, microbial testing methods, foods for special dietary use, contaminant limits and food-related products. Comments can be sent via fax (010-68792408) till March 17.

17 new GB standards to be formulated:

3 food additives	L-(-)-malic acid disodium salt Sanzan gum Vanillyl alcohol
7 food testing methods	Determination of β- Hydroxy group- β- Calcium methyl butyrate in food Determination of dihydroquercetin in food Determination of pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt in food Determination of γ- aminobutyric acid in food Determination of 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene and migration in food contact materials and articles Determination of migration of triethyl citrate, tributyl acetylcitrate and dibutyl sebacate in food contact materials and articles Determination of migration of bisphenol A-diglycidyl ether, bisphenol F-diglycidyl ether and their hydroxyl and chlorinated derivatives in food contact materials and articles
4 microbial testing methods	Food microbiological examination for Bifidobacterium Food microbiological examination for Lactococcus Food microbiological examination for Weizmannia Food microbiological examination for Pediococcus
2 foods for special dietary use	Full nutrition formulas for gastrointestinal absorption disorder and pancreatitis Special dietary foods for gluten intolerance
1 toxicological evaluation method	In vivo pig-a gene mutation test in peripheral blood of rat

As revealed by the list, two standards targeted at foods for special dietary use are expected to be formulated in 2023, which signals that this fast-growing niche market is getting more regulatory focus in China.

22 GB standards to be revised

9 food additives	GB 28316-2012 Tomato Red GB 1886.34-2015 Paprika Red GB 25533-2010 Pectin GB 14752-2010 Vitamin B2 GB 1886.81-2015 Lauric Acid GB 29924-2013 General Standard for the Labeling of Food Additives GB 25543－2010 L-Alanine GB 26404-2011 Erythritol GB 1886.75-2016 L-Cysteine Hydrochloride
3 nutrition fortifiers	GB 31617-2014 Casein Phosphopeptide GB 29212-2012 Carbonyl Iron Powder GB 1903.42-2020 Substances Inositol
1 food-related product	GB 9685-2016 Standard for Uses of Additives in Food Contact Materials and Articles
3 contaminant limits	Heavy metals limits in dried meat products Heavy metals limits in dried aquatic products Limits of contaminants and mycotoxins in liquid foods for special medical purposes
4 food testing methods	GB 5413.36-2010 Determination of Trans Fatty Acids in Foods for Infants and Young Children, Milk and Milk Products GB 5009.124-2016 Determination of Amino Acid in Food GB 5009.190-2014 Determination of Indicative PCB Content in Food GB 5009.253-2016 Determination of PFOS and PFOA in Animal Derived Food
1 microbial testing method	GB 4789.6-2016 Food Microbiological Examination for Diarrheogenic Escherichia Coli
1 food product	GB 2716-2018 Plant Oil

Notably, as one of the overarching standards under China's food contact materials regulatory system, GB 9685-2016 Standard for Uses of Additives in Food Contact Materials and Articles was included in the list. In February, NHC also proposed a drafted amendment to GB 9685-2016 (check ChemLinked news for more details).

ChemLinked keeps tracking the latest updates on Chinese food legislations. Please stay tuned with us for the latest progress of the plan.