Global Food Regulation Highlights | February 2025

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 February 2025 below.

China

In February 2025, China approves 5 food raw materials, 8 new food additives and 7 new food-related products. (Read more at links for raw material, food additive, and food-related product)

More highlights in Chinese Mainland:

• China Issues Guidance for the Registration of FSMP for Amino Acid Metabolism Disorders

• SAMR Declares PDE5 inhibitors Such as TPN171 as Toxic Non-Food Ingredients

• China to Introduce Licensing System for Bulk Transportation of Key Liquid Foods

• China Customs Rejected 357 Batches of Imported Food in January 2025

Highlights in other areas of China:

• Taiwan to Strengthen Oversight of Importers with Repeated Non-Compliance in Import Inspections

• Taiwan Proposes Knee Joint Care Effect for Health Food

• Taiwan Announces Usage Restrictions for Food Ingredient γ-Aminobutyric Acid

South Korea

On February 21, 2025, the South Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) announced plans to intensify inspections of overseas foods purchased directly through online shopping platforms in response to the growing importation of these items. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in South Korea:

• South Korea Introduces Unannounced On-site Inspections to Enhance the Reliability of HACCP Certification Extension Reviews

• South Korea Unveils Five-Year Food Standards and Specifications Management Plan

• South Korea Releases Preliminary Scope for 2026 Health Functional Food Ingredient Reevaluation

• South Korea to Mandate Recycled Materials in Plastic Packaging for Bottled Water and Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Japan

On February 28, 2025, Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) issued Notification No.148, announcing a revised approval process for condensed and powdered milk products. 

The new approval process took effect immediately upon publication, replacing the previous procedure established in 1997. Approvals granted before this date will remain valid. Additionally, approved products will now be publicly disclosed on the CAA's website, and approved applicants must report to local authorities. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in Japan:

• Japan Proposes Amendment to Guidelines on Food Expiration Date Labeling

• [Updated] Japan's Revised MRLs for Pesticides and Veterinary Drugs in 2025

• Japan Proposes to Update the Directory Distinguishing Food and Drug Ingredients

• Japan Plans to Revise the Labeling Requirements for Food for Specified Health Uses

• MAFF Updates the Standards for Bacons, Aged Bacons, Hams, Aged Hams, Pressed Ham, Sausages, Aged Sausages
  

Southeast Asia

On February 6, 2025, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) released a circular regarding the Food (Amendment) Regulations 2025. This amendment, which involves significant updates to food ingredient lists, country-of-origin labeling, and gluten-free food standards, was gazetted on January 31, 2025, and will come into effect on January 30, 2026. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in Southeast Asia:

• Indonesia Updates Regulation on Food Category and Food Raw Material

• Vietnam to Amend Decree 15/2018 Regulations on the Implementation of the Food Safety Law

• Vietnam Issues Practical Guidelines for Submitting Food-Related Applications via the New Online Public Service Portal 

• Vietnam Solicits Comments on the Draft Decree, which Providing Customs Procedures for Exported and Imported Goods Transacted via E-commerce

• Malaysia to Amend Food Regulations 1985

• Malaysia Updates the List of Halal Certification Bodies

• [Updated] Malaysia's New Restrictions on Trans Fatty Acids and a Global Perspective on Supervision

• Philippines Releases Customs Administrative Order (CAO) No.01-2025 Regarding Cross-Border Control on E-Commerce Importations

• Thailand Proposes New Amendments to Food Additive Regulation

• Thailand Consults on Ethylene Glycol and Diethylene Glycol Contamination Limits in Food Additives

• Thailand FDA to Create a Positive List of Future Food to Promote Industry Development

• Thailand Consults on Halal Food Standard

India

On February 20, 2025, the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) released Draft Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Amendment Regulations, 2025. The proposed revisions focus on nutrition information, the milk logo, and labeling requirements for coffee-chicory mixtures. Any feedback can be submitted within 60 days from the date of publication. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in India:

• India Requires Mandatory Update of Nominee Details and Introduces an Auto-Approval Provision for Certain Modifications in FoSCoS
  

European Union (EU)

On February 24, 2025, the European Union (EU) published Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/351, which revises three key regulations related to plastic food contact materials, namely,

• Commission Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006 on Good Manufacturing Practice for Materials and Articles Intended to Come into Contact with Food;

• Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on Plastic Materials and Articles Intended to Come into Contact with Food; and

• Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/1616 on Recycled Plastic Materials and Articles Intended to Come into Contact with Food.

The amendment will take effect on March 16, 2025.  (Read More)

More regulation highlights in European Union:

• EU Amends Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 Regarding the Union List of Flavourings

• EU Amends Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 as Regards Maximum Residue Levels in or on Certain Products (Link 1; Link 2)

• EU Rejects a Health Claim Made on Foods Regarding Appethyl

• EU Approves Calcidiol Monohydrate Used in the Manufacture of Food Supplements
  

United States (US)

Canada

On February 18, 2025, Health Canada published M-FAA-25-01 with immediate effect, modifying the List of Permitted Food Enzymes to authorize the use of lipase from a new source, i.e., Komagataella phaffii LALL-LI2.  (Read More)

More regulation highlights in Canada:

• Canada Repeals Certain Marketing Authorizations Issued Under the Food and Drugs Act

• Canada to Transfer the Maximum Levels for Ethyl Carbamate in Alcoholic Beverages to the List of Contaminants and Other Adulterating Substances in Foods

• Canada Proposes MRLs for Ethalfluralin, Pendimethalin and Lambda-cyhalothrin in Foods

• Canada to Amend the List of MRLs for Veterinary Drugs in Foods

Australia and New Zealand

On February 20, 2025, the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) released Amendment No. 235, allowing the use of Vitamin K2 (Menaquinone-7) as a permitted form of Vitamin K in food for special medical purposes (FSMP). This amendment takes effect immediately. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in Australia and New Zealand:

• Australia Amends Schedule 20 and MRL Standard

• Australia Consults on Changes to Regulatory Charges for Biosecurity and Imported Food Activities

• New Zealand Updates Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds

• DAFF Announces New Process for Imported Food Inspection Scheme Laboratory Nomination Form Submission

Recommended reading:

• Hot topic: Global Food Regulation Highlights, 2020-2025

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | January 2025