Global Food Regulation Highlights | April 2026

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 2026 below.

China

China Consults on 37 National Food Safety Standards, Involving Labeling, Additive, Nutritional Fortification Substances, Foods for Special Dietary Uses and Milk

On April 17, 2026, the National Health Commission (NHC) released 37 draft National Food Safety Standards (GB standards) for public consultation. The drafts cover a wide range of areas, including food products such as pasteurized milk, foods for special dietary uses, food additives, nutritional fortification substances, labeling and testing methods. Any comments can be submitted before June 6, 2026 via the online system.

More highlights in Chinese Mainland:

• [Updated] China Novel Food Raw Materials Updates in 2026

• [Updated] China Food Additives Updates in 2026

• China SAMR Consults on Adding Lycopene to the Health Food Raw Material Directory

• China GACC Clarifies New Registration Rules: Timelines and Essential Guidance for Overseas Food Manufacturers

• China Consults on Revisions of GB Standards for Pasteurized Milk and Sterilized Milk

• China Consults on Amendment No. 1 to Food Additive and Flavoring Standards (GB 2760 & GB 30616)

• 2026 China Customs Rejection Data: 445 Batches of Imported Food in February

• China Consults on the Draft GB 13432 Regarding the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods for Special Dietary Uses

Highlights in other areas of China:

• Taiwan Amends Pesticide Maximum Residue Limits in Food

• Taiwan FDA Proposes Traffic Light Nutritional Labeling System

South Korea

South Korea Updates Health Functional Food Code to Expand Functionality for Chitooligosaccharides

On April 13, 2026, South Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) announced amendment to the Health Functional Food Code. The regulatory update primarily adds a new functional claim for Chitooligosaccharides related to postprandial blood sugar management, along with corresponding manufacturing standards and test methods.

More regulation highlights in South Korea:

• South Korea Temporarily Allows Stickers for Labeling on Alternative Packaging to Provide Flexibility for Businesses Facing Packaging Material Constraints

• South Korea Proposes Harsher Penalties for 'Shrinkflation' in Food Products

• South Korea Proposes Amendments to Food Traceability Management Standards to Streamline Compliance

• South Korea to Adjust Precision Inspection Frequencies Based on Risk Levels for the Re-importation of Non-compliant Foods

Japan

Japan Updates Food Labeling Standards Including Mandatory Allergen Labeling and Revised Specific Item Rules

On April 1, 2026, Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) promulgated and implemented a Cabinet Office Ordinance (No. 34) to partially amend the Food Labeling Standards. The amendment mainly focuses on expanding the scope of allergen labeling and revising the labeling rules for specific food items. This revision took effect immediately on April 1, 2026, with specific transition periods granted for certain requirements.

More regulation highlights in Japan:

• [Updated] Japan Food Additives Updates in 2026

• Japan Proposes to Revise the Maximum Residue Limits of Six Pesticides and Veterinary Drugs

Southeast Asia

Vietnam Officially Suspends 2026 Food Safety Decree and Resolution, Reverting to 2018 Regulations

On April 6, 2026, the Government of Vietnam issued Resolution No. 15/2026/NQ-CP, which immediately suspended the effectiveness of Decree No. 46/2026/NĐ-CP (on implementing the Food Safety Law) and Resolution No. 66.13/2026/NQ-CP (on food product declaration and registration). The suspension will remain in place until the amended Food Safety Law and its guiding decree come into force. During this period, food safety management, registration, and declarations will continue to follow Decree No. 15/2018/NĐ-CP and its existing guidance. Dossiers submitted before April 6, 2026 will be processed under Decree No. 15/2018/NĐ-CP. Relevant ministries are required to strengthen both periodic and ad-hoc inspections, focusing on food production, import/export, e-commerce food fraud, and advertising compliance.

More regulation highlights in Southeast Asia:

• Indonesia BPOM Consults on Draft Regulation for Post-Market Supervision Follow-Ups of Health Supplements

• Malaysia NPRA Updates Analytical Testing and Labelling Requirements for Products Containing Animal-Derived Materials

• Malaysia NPRA Updates Application Form for Certificate of Indication and Declaration Certificate for Health Supplements

• Singapore Launches Beverage Container Return Scheme

• Vietnam Releases Decree 127/2026/NĐ-CP on Quality Management and Policies for Developing Halal Products and Services

• Vietnam Ministry of Health Updates Progress on Food Safety Law Revision

• Vietnam Proposes Draft Circular on Quality Management for Products and Goods Under the Ministry of Industry and Trade

• Vietnam Solicits Comments on Draft Circular for Medium and High-Risk Products, Covering Dairy Products, Beverages & Drinks

• Vietnam Announces Revision Schedule for the Food Safety Law

• Vietnam Decentralizes Advertisement Approval for Health Supplements and Deletes the Administrative Procedure for New Food Additives

South Asia

India Prohibits Use of Ashwagandha Leaves in Food and Ayush Products

On April 16, 2026, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued an advisory banning the use of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) leaves in any form, including crude or extracts, in food products. Food Business Operators are required to comply immediately, with non-compliance subject to action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. FSSAI reiterated that under its 2016 regulations for health supplements and nutraceuticals, only Ashwagandha roots and their extracts are allowed. The advisory follows an April 15, 2026 directive from the Ministry of Ayush, which similarly prohibited the use of Ashwagandha leaves in Ayush products, permitting only roots due to potential safety concerns reported in scientific studies.

More regulation highlights in South Asia:

• FSSAI Releases Updated List of Recognized Food Testing Laboratories

• FSSAI Further Extends Compliance Timeline for New Meat Sausage Standards

European Union (EU)

France Renews Suspension of Food Supplements Containing Garcinia Cambogia

On April 17, 2026, the French authorities released an official order renewing the suspension of the importation, introduction, and placing on the market of food supplements containing the plant Garcinia cambogia Desr. The regulation aims to protect public health from acute risks associated with the plant's consumption. This decree officially came into effect on April 18, 2026.

More regulation highlights in European Union (EU):

• EU Establishes a New Multiannual Control Programme for Pesticide Residues in Food of Plant and Animal Origin

• EU Amends Maximum Residue Levels for Allium Fistulosum, Lysate of Willaertia Magna, Magnesium Hydroxide, Sainfoin Dried Pellets and Grape Seed Extract

• Germany Approves the Import of Carbonated Sugar-Free Caffeinated Soft Drinks with Added Magnesium

• The European Union Updates Sampling and Analysis Rules for Pesticide Residues in Food and Feed

• EU Amends Maximum Residue Levels for Copper Compounds in Certain Agricultural Products

• EU Amends Maximum Residue Levels for Acetamiprid, Aclonifen, Deltamethrin, Oxathiapiprolin and Potassium Phosphonates in Certain Agricultural Products

• The EU Amends Regulation on the Maximum Residue Limit of Lidocaine in Foodstuffs of Animal Origin

• France Amends Regulations on Jams, Honey, Fruit Juices, and Dehydrated Milk to Transpose EU Directive

United States (US)

FDA to Remove Three Substances as Permitted Extraction Solvents for the Manufacture of Three Color Additives

On April 1, 2026, The U.S. FDA has filed a color additive petition proposing to remove methylene chloride, trichloroethylene, and ethylene dichloride as permitted extraction solvents for the manufacture of color additives Annatto extract, Paprika oleoresin and Turmeric oleoresin, because industry has permanently abandoned their use in these applications.

More regulation highlights in United States (US):

• U.S. EPA Proposes Designation of Microplastics and Pharmaceuticals as Priority Contaminant Groups in Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List

• EPA Establishes New Tolerances and Exemptions for Residues of Pesticides in Foods

• FDA Announces Results from Largest-Ever Chemical Contaminant Testing of Infant Formula

Canada

Health Canada Extends the Use of Transglutaminase as a Permitted Food Enzyme

On April 14, 2026, Health Canada issued a Notice of Modification to the Lists of Permitted Food Additives, extending the approved use of the food enzyme transglutaminase from Bacillus licheniformis strain NZYM-TR. A new subitem T.2(3) was added to the List of Permitted Food Enzymes following a premarket safety assessment covering exposure, allergenicity, and toxicology. The enzyme is now authorized for use under Good Manufacturing Practice in a wide range of foods, including beer and brewers' mash; various standardized and unstandardized cheeses, yogurt, and frozen dairy desserts; meat and poultry products such as sausage, meat loaf, and preserved meats; blends of prepared fish and meat and other prepared fish products; bakery and grain products like bread, flour, pasta, and unstandardized baked goods; and plant-based alternatives that resemble dairy, egg, fish, meat, and poultry, as well as simulated meat products, plant protein isolates/concentrates, tempeh, and tofu. The update takes effect immediately upon publication.

More regulation highlights in Canada:

• Health Canada to Transition Sports Electrolyte Products to Food Regulatory Framework

Australia and New Zealand

FSANZ Consults on Three New Processing Aids in April 2026

In April 2026, FSANZ issued two notifications calling for public submissions on the use of three new processing aids: chitosan (derived from white button mushrooms, Agaricus bisporus), lipase, and dextransucrase. The consultation period for chitosan will close on May 28, 2026, while the deadline for the latter two is June 2, 2026.

More regulation highlights in Australia and New Zealand:

• New Zealand Proposes to Amend the Maximum Limits for Agricultural Chemical Residues in Food

South America

Brazil ANVISA Updates Dietary Supplement Regulations for Curcuma Longa Extracts

On April 22, 2026, Brazil's health authority ANVISA published Normative Instruction (IN) No. 438 of April 16, 2026, amending IN No. 28/2018 on dietary supplements. The new rule, effective immediately, adds Turmeric rhizome extract (Curcuma longa L.) and Tetrahydrocurcuminoids from Curcuma longa as authorized constituents but prohibits their combined use in the same product. It establishes adult (≥19 years) dosage limits of 80–130 mg/day for total curcuminoids and up to 120 mg/day for tetrahydrocurcuminoids, and bans their use in infants, children, pregnant women, and lactating women. Labels of products containing these substances must carry a specific warning against use by pregnant or nursing women, children, people with liver, biliary, or gastric ulcer conditions, and advise those with illnesses or taking medicines to consult a doctor. A six‑month transition period allows continued production or import as long as the warning is provided via customer service channels and company websites; products made under these interim conditions may be sold until the end of their shelf life.

More regulation highlights in South America:

• Brazil Updates Regulation on Food Additives and Processing Aids

Middle East

GCC Countries Propose New Technical Regulation for Greek-Style Yogurt

On April 27, 2026, GCC member states (UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia) and Yemen notified the WTO of two draft Gulf Technical Regulations for Greek-style yogurt: one for plain products and one for flavored and sweetened products. The drafts define Greek-style yogurt as a coagulated dairy product from lactic fermentation using Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, with partial whey removal to increase protein and reduce lactose. They set minimum requirements for titratable acidity (≥0.6% as lactic acid), protein (≥5.6% w/w), and non-fat milk solids (≥8.25% w/w), and classify products by fat content as whole (≥3%), low fat (>0.5% and<3%), and skimmed (≤0.5%). The texts specify permitted raw materials and optional ingredients, prohibit any non-milk fats or oils, and ban flavorings and sweeteners in the plain variety while providing separate rules for flavorings, sweeteners, and fruits in flavored/sweetened products. Products must meet defined sensory attributes, comply with Gulf microbiological and contaminant limits, and be Halal. Labeling must include the correct product name, milk type and animal species where applicable, fat and non-fat solids content, and the storage statement "Keep refrigerated at a temperature not exceeding 5°C".