Global Food Regulation Highlights | February 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 February 2026 below.

China

China Implements New Recall Regulations for Cross-Border E-Commerce Foods

On February 13, 2026, China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) jointly issued new rules to strengthen the recall process for food products sold through cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) retail channels. The new regulation, titled Announcement on Further Strengthening the Supervision of the Recall of Cross-Border E-commerce Retail Imported Foods (2026, No. 1)¹, establishes a clear framework for stakeholders' accountability. It mandates that overseas e-commerce food businesses appoint a domestic entity in mainland China to manage and execute product recalls. This measure is designed to close a regulatory gap where many imported products lacked a local service channel for addressing safety issues.

More highlights in Chinese Mainland:

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

• China Food Additives Updates in 2026: CFSA Consulted on Four New Food Additives

• China Releases Seven National Food Safety Standards on Pesticide Residues

• [Updated] 2025 China Customs Rejection Data: 406 Batches of Imported Food in December

Highlights in other areas of China:

• Macao Proposes to Revise Heavy Metal Limits in Food

• Taiwan Establishes New Sanitary Standard for Health Food

• Taiwan Clarifies Beef Import Controls and Confirms U.S. Beef Import Eligibility

South Korea

South Korea Proposes Significant Revisions to Food Additive Code

On February 13, 2026, South Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety proposed extensive amendments to the Food Additive Code, including new nutritional fortifiers, detailed sweetener usage limits, stricter sugar alcohol management, and updated standards for flavorings, phosphates, and sulfites, etc.

More regulation highlights in South Korea:

• South Korea Proposes Mandatory GMO Labeling for Certain Highly Processed Foods

• South Korea Announces Preliminary List of Health Functional Food Ingredients for 2027 Re-Evaluation

• South Korea Redesignates Inspection Orders for Indian Natural Spices

• South Korea Sets Clear Deadlines for Supplementing Health Functional Food Ingredient Re-evaluation Data

• South Korea Strengthens Pesticide Residue Standards for Agricultural and Fishery Products at Production Stage

• South Korea Releases Partial Amendment to HACCP Certification Standards

• South Korea Releases 2026 Food Standards and Specifications Management Implementation Plan

Japan

[Updated] Japan Pesticide & Veterinary Drug MRLs Updates in 2026

On February 19, 2026, Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) issued an amendment to the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for five pesticides and veterinary drugs. They are Isotianil, Clofentezine, Cyclopyranil, Validamycin, and Broflanilide. These updates came into effect immediately upon publication.

More regulation highlights in Japan:

• Japan Adds Belgium to List of Countries with Recognized Meat Processing Safety

Southeast Asia

Vietnam Government Temporarily Suspends New Food Safety Decree and Resolution until Mid-April 2026

On February 5, 2026, the Vietnamese Government announced a Resolution temporarily suspending the implementation of Decree No. 46/2026/NĐ-CP (January 26, 2026) and Resolution No. 66.13/2026/NQ-CP (January 27, 2026), which detail regulations on the Law on Food Safety and product registration. The effectiveness of these new regulations is suspended until the end of April 15, 2026, and they will take full effect from April 16, 2026.

More regulation highlights in Southeast Asia:

• Indonesia Reclassifies Liquid Drop Sweeteners as High-Risk Food

• Indonesia Releases Draft Regulation on Non-Halal Labeling Requirements

• Indonesia Drafts Legislation Plan for Health Supplements and Processed Food in 2026

• Indonesia BPJPH Issues Guidance on Halal Registration for Unlisted Imported Products

• Malaysia Issues Guidelines on Functional Class Terms for Food Additive

• Malaysia Solicits Feedback on Amendments to Biosafety Act 2007

• Malaysia Mandates Diethylene Glycol and Ethylene Glycol Testing for Oral Liquid Products Containing High-Risk Excipients

• Malaysia Consults on Amendments to Food Regulations 1985: GOS Claims, PHGG and 3'-FL

• Thailand Expands Sales Channels for Low-Risk Herbal Products, Boosting Market Access

• Thailand Approves Five New Probiotic Strains for Food Use

• Thailand Confirms the Updated ASEAN Pesticides MRL Align with Domestic Standard

• Philippines FDA Proposes New E-Services System for Processed Food Registration

• Philippines FDA Proposes New Technical Regulation for Fruit Juices and Nectars

• Philippines FDA Proposes Risk-Based Framework for Classifying Food Inspection Deficiencies

• Vietnam MOIT Consults on Draft Decree Detailing E-commerce Law Implementation

India

FSSAI Issues Compliance Order for Food Testing Laboratories

On February 12, 2026, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued an order to all its notified food testing laboratories to ensure full compliance with the Food Safety and Standards (Recognition and Notification of the laboratories) Regulations, 2018. The order follows observations that several laboratories were not adhering to these regulations. Laboratories are required to promptly upload test reports for all analyzed food samples to the InFoLNet portal and keep their profiles updated in real time. They must use only validated and prescribed test methods within their accredited scope and strictly follow the prescribed test report format without any deviation. The order warns that appropriate action may be taken against laboratories that continue to be non-compliant.

More regulation highlights in India:

• FSSAI Releases Updated List of Recognized Food Testing Laboratories

Middle East

GCC Standardization Organization to Update Standard for General Halal Food Requirements

On February 17, 2026, the GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) released a primary draft for a technical regulation titled "GSO 2055-1:2026 Halal Food - Part 1: General Requirements." This document serves as a significant update to the previous 2015 version (GSO 2055-1:2015), establishing the fundamental criteria that food products must meet to be classified as Halal within the GCC region. The draft is currently open for public consultation, and industry stakeholders are required to submit their feedback and comments by April 18, 2026.

More regulation highlights in Middle East:

• Saudi Arabia Adopts Over 40 New and Updated Food, Feed, and Tobacco Standards

European Union (EU)

EU Novel Food Updates in 2026

In February, Defatted rapeseed powder and Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT) produced by a derivative strain of Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655 are authorised to be placed on the market within the Union. Additionally, the conditions of use and specific labelling requirements for Pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila are amended to extend its use to the adolescent population.

More regulation highlights in European Union (EU):

• EU Consults on Draft Procedure for Listing High-Risk Plants and Plant Products

• EU's Draft Delegated Regulation on Procedures for Granting Temporary Derogations from Import Prohibitions for Certain Plants and Plant Products

• EU Drafts Amendment to Update List of Recognized Control Bodies for Imported Organic Products

• Germany Updates Guiding Principles for Ice Cream in the German Food Code

• Germany Publishes Amendment to Guiding Principles for Honey in the German Food Code

• France Publishes New Order Regulating Production Practices for Ciders and Perries

• EU Authorizes Signing of Interim Trade Agreement with Mercosur and Establishes Safeguard Measures for Sensitive Agricultural Products

United States (US)

U.S. FDA Updates Policy on "No Artificial Colors" Claims and Approves New Natural Color Additives

On February 5, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a notable change in its enforcement approach toward voluntary labeling claims related to food colors. Through an industry letter, the FDA stated that it will exercise enforcement discretion to allow the use of "no artificial colors" claims on foods that do not contain FD&C Act certified colors. At the same time, the FDA approved new and expanded uses of color additives derived from natural sources.

More regulation highlights in United States (US):

• FDA Drafts Industry Guidance on Food Traceability Rule

• U.S. Color Additive Updates in 2026

• FDA Launches Post-Market Safety Assessment of BHA

• FDA Augments and Improves Infant Formula Resources to Enhance Transparency, Safety, and Access

Canada

Canada Updates Labelling Rules for Milk Ingredients on Food Products

On February 11, 2026, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) amended the 'Common Names for Ingredients and Components' document, changing labelling requirements for milk and dairy-derived ingredients. The term 'modified milk ingredients' is replaced by 'milk-derived ingredients', with corresponding updates to French terminology. Definitions are revised for which ingredients may be grouped under 'milk ingredients' and 'milk-derived ingredients', and classification tables are updated to distinguish protein isolates not derived from milk and to refine which dairy components fall under each collective term. Food manufacturers must update ingredient lists on product labels accordingly, with a transition period allowing compliance with either the old or new rules until January 1, 2030.

More regulation highlights in Canada:

• Health Canada Modifies Use Requirements for Silicon Dioxide in Food

• Health Canada Consults on Proposed MRLs for Three Pesticides (Fluazaindolizine, Acynonapyr, Ethylene Bisdithiocarbamate Fungicides)

Australia and New Zealand

New Zealand Proposes to Revise Kava Food Standard to Enhance Clarity

New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has opened a public consultation on proposed updates to the national food standard for kava. Any comments can be sent back prior to March 13, 2026.

The changes are intended to clarify existing rules and enhance consumer safety without banning kava. The proposals focus on explicitly prohibiting the use of processing aids and food additives in kava products for sale, and banning the sale of non‑noble kava varieties, based on Pacific traditional knowledge and research indicating noble varieties are safer. The updates would align New Zealand's kava standard with Codex Regional Standard CXS 336R-2020 and apply only to products sold, not to how consumers use kava after purchase. 

South America

ANVISA Amends Regulation on Veterinary Drug Residues

On February 20, 2026, Brazil's health authority ANVISA issued Normative Instruction No. 427/2026, amending a 2022 regulation on acceptable daily intake (ADI), acute reference dose (ARfD), and maximum residue limits (MRLs) for veterinary drug APIs in food of animal origin. The instruction prohibits use of umifoxolaner in animals producing milk for human consumption and took effect upon publication.