Global Food Regulation Highlights | August 2023

To help food business stakeholders to navigate the ever-changing regulatory landscape in the global food industry, ChemLinked presented Global Food Regulation Highlights, a monthly report which delivers major and general regulation dynamics all around the world. Find out what's new on food regulation worldwide in August of 2023 below:

China 

On August 31, 2023, China State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) published five regulations concerning health food with immediate effect. These regulations signify the resumption of the health food registration mechanism's normal operations, which will have a significant impact on the registration process for new health food products going forward. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in China:

• China Proposes New Amendment to GB Standard for Restricting Overpackaging of Food, Tea and Baby Foods Involved

• NHC Authorizes Two New Food Raw Materials

• NHC Approves Three FCM Substances

• CFSA Consults on Three New Food Raw Materials

• CFSA Consults on Three New Food Additives, 2'FL Invovled

• China Customs Rejected 138 Batches of Imported Food in July 2023

• China Halts All Imports of Japanese Aquatic Product over Fukushima Nuclear Water Release

• China Unveils Implementation Rules on Technical Evaluation of New Functions for Health Food

• Taiwan Amends Food Additive Standards

• Taiwan to Revise the Regulation on Nutrition Claim for Prepackaged Food Products

South Korea 

On August 31, 2023, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) published a notification to officially revise the Food Code. The amendments mainly include updating pesticide residue requirements and introducing meat alternatives and new Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP). Establishing new standards for meat alternative products indicates that this product is no longer a market concept and should comply with the mandatory standards before being put into the market. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in South Korea:

• South Korea Consults on Food Labeling Requirements

• South Korea Consults on the Enforcement Rule of Imported Food Act

• South Korea Inspects Hemp Seed Oil and Other Foods Sold Online

• South Korea Revises the Requirements of Imported Food

• South Korea Revises the Enforcement Rule of Imported Food Act

• South Korea Designates Prohibited Ingredients in Foods (282 kinds in total)

• South Korea's New Use-By Date Labeling Requirements for Foods

• South Korea Modifies the Imported Food Act

• South Korea to Expand the Food Scope Subject to Sugar and Sodium Reduction Label

• [Data Updated] Imported Foods Subject to Inspection Order in South Korea

Japan 

On August 16, 2023, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) of Japan issued Approval Matters Proposal Regarding Formulated Milk Powder Containing Fungus Powder (draft), seeking comments from the public until September 15, 2023. The draft proposes the addition of detailed provisions for powdered infant formula, including the inclusion of specific bacterial strains, intake tests for infants, and data requirements. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in Japan:

• Japan Publicly Solicits Opinions on the Evaluation of Seven Food Safety-related Substances

• CAA Approves Two Foods for Special Health Uses Labeling

• MHLW Proposes to Update the Positive List System for Utensils, Containers and Packaging

Southeast Asia 

On August 8, 2023, Thailand Food and Drug Administration opened the revisions to food labeling requirements for public feedback. The draft involves the revision to the labeling of ingredient list, expiration date and allergen substances. (Read More) 

More regulation highlights in Southeast Asia:

• Philippines Establishes the First Border Inspection Facility for Imported Agricultural Products

• Indonesia Publishes Law Concerning Health, Involving Food Safety Management

• Indonesia Notifies WTO the Updated Registration Procedure for Processed Food

• Vietnam Issues the List of Plant Quarantine Targets

• Vietnam Drafts the List of Pesticides Permitted/Banned for Use

• Vietnam to Regulates Environmental Protection Fees for Emissions

India 

On August 24, 2023, Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) issued the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) First Amendment Regulations, 2023, which relates to definition and labels. The amendment will come into effect on March 1, 2024. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in India:

• FSSAI Further Extends Deadline for Warning Labels on Pan Masala

• FSSAI Allows Use of Old Packaging Materials Until December 31, 2023

• FSSAI Released Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Obtaining the Endorsement of Vegan Logo

EU 

On August 11, 2023, the EU made an amendment to Annex I of Regulation (EU) No 10/2011. This revision grants authorization for the use of bis(2-ethylhexyl)cyclohexane-1,4-dicarboxylate (DEHCH) in the production of plastic food contact materials (FCMs). (Read More)

More regulation highlights in EU:

• EU Amends Implementing Regulation Regarding the Specifications of Certain Novel Foods

• EU to Authorise Certain Products and Substances for Use in Organic Production and Establish Their List

UK 

On August 9, 2023, UK announced to began the consultation on the amendment regarding the nutrition and health claims on food. The proposed amendment includes the introduction of an improvement notice regime to reform the implementation of related regulation. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in UK:

• UK Updates the Best Practice Guidance on Food Allergen Labelling

• UK Published Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging: Example File for Packaging Data

• UK Published Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging: Templates for Organisation Details

• UK Amends the GB MRL Statutory Register (Chlorpropham, Oxathiapiprolin, Cyprodinil, Fludioxonil)

• UK Releases Assessment of the Alternatives to Single-use Plastics in Food Packaging and Production

America 

On August 8, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an announcement titled Revocation of Uses of Partially Hydrogenated Oils in Foods, stating the use of partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) in foods is no longer Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). Besides, considering the public health risks associated with PHOs and the increasing popularity of PHO alternatives, FDA anticipates there will be no significant adverse comments from the industry and public. Therefore, if nothing else, this amendment will go into effect directly as a final rule on December 22, 2023. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in America:

• U.S. Revises the Residue Limits for Nine Substances in a Variety of Food Products

• FDA Proposes to Amend the Standard of Identity for Pasteurized Orange Juice

• USDA Require Plant Records to Include Grade Label Butterfat Testing

Canada 

On August 3, 2023, Health Canada enabled the use of xylanase from Trichoderma reesei RF5427 in a variety of foods. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in Canada:

• Canda Proposes MRLs for Diflufenican and Tolfenpyrad in Multiple Food Products

Australia and New Zealand

On August 23, 2023, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) issued its annual call for public submissions on proposed changes to maximum residue limits (MRLs) for agricultural and veterinary chemicals in food. FSANZ is reviewing requests to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to harmonize MRLs for 127 substances with limits established by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), Codex Alimentarius Commission, and other international food standards agencies. Any comments can be submitted before October 4, 2023. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in Australia and New Zealand:

• MPI Issues Draft for Importing Fresh Pineapples for Human Consumption

• FSANZ Calls for Comments on a New Type of Genetically Modified Corn

• Australia Finalizes Import Conditions for Prawns and Prawn Products

To ensure the timely responding to the regulation changes and updates, also to avoid the negative impact on food market access and business operation, it is highly recommended to contact us for customized risk alert & monitoring report service, which allows you to track the regulation dynamics for the certain food categories and certain markets. You may click the sample of regulatory monitoring report for more details.

More Editions of Global Food Regulation Highlights in 2023：

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | July 2023
  

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | June 2023
  

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | May 2023

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | April 2023

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | March 2023
  

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | February 2023

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | January 2023