Global Food Regulation Highlights | April 2024

To help stakeholders in food sector navigate the constantly evolving regulatory landscape, ChemLinked offers Global Food Regulation Highlights, a concise monthly report that focuses on key regulatory developments worldwide. Find out what's new on food regulation worldwide in April 2024 below.

For thorough and comprehensive monitoring of developments in specific business sector and markets, we highly recommend our customized risk alert and monitoring report service. This service empowers you to effectively syta informed about all the regulatory dynamics that can impact your business. With the added advantage of expert interpretation and analysis, our service offers you a comprehensive understanding of the significance and consequences of these regulatory changes. For more detailed information, we invite you to click on the provided sample of regulatory monitoring report.

China

On April 22, Hong Kong SAR officially implemented the first-phase disposable plastic tableware regulation, under the Product Eco-responsibility (Amendment) Bill 2023 of regulating disposable plastic tableware and other plastic products. Regarding the regulation on disposable plastic tableware, the Amendment Bill bans the local sale of nine types of disposable plastic tableware, and prohibits catering premises from providing customers with such products, and is implemented in two phases. The first-phase regulation took effect on April 22, 2024. The second-phase implementation is tentatively set for 2025, and will depend on the availability and affordability of the relevant non-plastic and reusable alternatives. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in Chinese Mainland:

• China Simplifies the Paperwork for the Application of Imported Health Food Registration/Filing

• China Customs Rejected 250 Batches of Imported Food in March 2024
  

• CFSA Consults on Three Food Raw Materials

• SAMR Consults on Priority and Approval Procedures of FSMP for Rare Diseases

• SAMR Lists "Food Labeling Administrative Measures" and "Entrusted Food Production Administrative Measures" as Prioritized Legislation Work of 2024

• China Updates GB/T Standard for General Rule of Restricting Excessive Packaging for Commodity

Regulation highlights in other areas of China:

• Taiwan to Specify the Marker Residues in the Standards for Veterinary Drug Residue Limits in Foods
  

South Korea

On April 9, 2024, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) revised the Food Code. Modifications include alterations to the food raw material lists, revisions to the Maximum Residual Limits (MRLs) of pesticide, and enhanced inspection processes for edible raw eggs. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in South Korea:

• South Korea Consults on the Enforcement Decree of Health Functional Food Act 

• South Korea to Enhance the Safety Control on Animal Products Importation
  

Japan

On April 10, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF) issued a notice announcing the revision of the "Japanese Agricultural Standards of Boiled and Dried Small Fishes." The updated standards introduce new "reference specifications," provide more detailed definitions for various products, and update the testing methods. The amendment will officially come into effect on May 10, 2024. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in Japan:

• Japan Proposes to Revise the Plant Quarantine System
  

Southeast Asia 

As revealed by a WTO Notification on April 26, 2024, Malaysia is consulting on the revisions to Food Regulation 1985 regarding milk and milk production regulations. Amendments include the definition and specification of milk and milk products, the use requirement of the term "fresh", etc. Any opinions can be commented within 60 days from notification. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in Southeast Asia:

• Indonesia to Update the List of Permitted Nutrients in Health Supplements with Restrictions

• Indonesia Amends Processed Food Labeling Regulation Due to BPA Risk
  

• Malaysia Allows Registration of Natural Products with Modern Claims from April 4, 2024

• Philippines to Amend Product Standard for Vinegar

• Philippines to Streamline the Administrative Precedures of Agricultural Products Importation
  

• Thailand Consults on the Announcement Regarding the Determination of Quality or Standards of Single Food Additives

• Thailand Streamlines the Application of Oil and Fat Products by Using Electronic System
  

• Indonesia Repeals Regulation No. 26 of 2018 on Integration of Electronic Business Licensing Services in the Drug and Food Sector

• Vietnam Issues Circular No. 04/2024/TT-BNNPTNT, Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of the Circulars Regulating Quarantine of Animals and Terrestrial Animal Products
  

India

On April 4, 2024, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued an order that extends the transition period for the registration of foreign food manufacturing facilities (FFMF). In response to appeals from various industry players, FSSAI agreed to allow the import of the five food categories, namely milk and milk products, meat and meat products, egg powder, infant food and nutraceuticals until August 31, 2024, with an aim to minimize disruptions in exports (Read More)

More regulation highlights in India:

• FSSAI Clarifies the Categorization and Labeling of Health Drinks/Energy Drinks on E-commerce Platforms

• FSSAI Issues Orders Regarding Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) of Pesticides for Spices and Culinary Herbs
  

European Union (EU) 

EU issued eight amendments to "Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470, the Union List of Novel Foods". The eight amendments involves substances like calcidiol monohydrate, protein concentrate from Lemna gibba and Lemna minor, etc. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in EU:

• EU Issued Four Amendments to Regulation (EU) 2023/915 on Maximum Levels for Certain Contaminants in Foods

• EU Amends the Methods of Sampling and Analysis for the Control of Levels of Nickel in Foodstuffs and Certain References

• EU to Revise the List of Recognised Control Authorities and Control Bodies for Organic Products Imports

• EU to Update the Acceptable Level of Contamination by Listeria Monocytogenes IN Certain Categories of Ready-to eat Food

• EU to Amend Requirements for Agri-food Requiring Notification of Arrival in the EU

• EU Amends Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 Regarding Specific Hygiene Requirements for Certain Meat, Fishery Products, Dairy Products and Eggs
  

• EU Amends Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 as Regards the Maximum Residue Levels of Pesticide in or on Certain Products: a) Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/1076; B) Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/1077; C) Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/1078

United States (US)

On April 3, 2024, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a draft guidance for the dietary supplement industry titled "New Dietary Ingredient Notification Master Files for Dietary Supplements." This guidance provides recommendations on using Master Files to submit NDI-related information to the FDA for evaluating the new dietary ingredient notifications (NDINs). The authority proposed to update the guideline to facilitate industry compliance with the NDIN requirement by offering guidance on content, submission, and use of Master Files. Stakeholders can submit comments to FDA within 60 days after its publication.  (Read More)

More regulation highlights in America:

• FDA Issues Draft Guidance on Sampling Recommendations for Seafood Subject to DWPE

• U.S. Issues the Testing Results for PFAS in the General Food Supply

• U.S. EPA Establishes a Tolerance for Residues of Cyclaniliprole in or on Vegetable

• U.S. Seeks Public Input on Fee Increase for Color Additive Certification

• U.S. Issues Guidance on 'Revocation of Uses of Partially Hydrogenated Oils in Foods' to Assist Small Entities with Compliance Obligations

• U.S. Exempts the Residues of E. Coli K-12 Derived Micelles Used as an Inert Ingredient in Pesticide Formulations Applied to Growing Crops and Raw Agricultural Commodities after Harvest

• U.S. Amends Residue Limits of Flonicamid in/on Berry from 1.5 ppm to 2 ppm

• U.S. Finalizes PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation
  

Canada 

On April 20, 2024, the Canada Department of the Environment published a notice under subsection 46(1) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, requiring comprehensive reporting from entities involved in the manufacturing or management of plastic resins and certain plastic products to the Federal Plastics Registry. Non-compliance with the Notice may result in penalties under the Act. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in Canada:

• Canada Updates the List of Permitted Supplemental Ingredients to Enable the Use of Phosphatidylserine (Soy)

Australia and New Zealand 

On April 16, 2024, APVMA issued Gazette No 8, announcing an amendment to Schedule 20 of the Australian New Zealand Food Standards Code, which takes effect on the gazettal date. Major changes involve the addition of two compounds, the revision, addition and removal of a series of MRL items. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in Australia and New Zealand:

• Austrailia Updates Guidelines for Assessed listed medicines, Affecting Health Supplements
  

• Australia Asks for Public Engagement on Changes to Regulatory Charges for Biosecurity and Imported Food Activities

• MPI Revises Requirements for Registered Food Importers and Imported Food for Sale, Involving Frozen Berries

• FSANZ Releases Amendment No. 227 to the Code, involving 2 Processing aids and 2 foods Produced Using Gene Technology

Recommended reading:

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | January 2024

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | February 2024

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | March 2024

• Hot topic: Global Food Regulation Highlights, 2020-2024