Global Food Regulation Highlights | January 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 January 2026 below.

China

China Adds "Helps Maintain Bone and Joint Health" to Health Food Claim Catalogue

On January 15, 2026, China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), along with the National Health Commission (NHC) and the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NATCM), released the Health Function Catalogue Allowed for Health Food Claims - Helps Maintain Bone and Joint Health (Alleviates Pain or Stiffness/Alleviates Cartilage Damage). This announcement introduces a new, specific health function for products targeting joint health and provides detailed technical guidelines for its evaluation. The regulation is effective as of January 1, 2026.

More highlights in Chinese Mainland:

• SAMR Consults on Detailed Rules for Dairy Product Production Licensing

• China Updates Credit System of Customs Registered Enterprise with New Five-Tier Rating Mechanism

• China Tightens Food Safety Oversight for Livestream E-commerce Operators

• SAMR Releases Detailed Rules for Liquid Infant Formula Production Licensing

Highlights in other areas of China:

• [Updated] Taiwan Announces Usage Restrictions for Food Ingredients: Inulin

• Taiwan Proposes Revisions to Pesticide MRLs in Foods

• Taiwan Revises the Gastrointestinal Function Improvement Assessment Methods for Health Foods

• Taiwan Amends Test Method for Bromate in Bottled and Packaged Drinking Water

• Taiwan Finalizes Principles for Safety Assessment of Novel Food Ingredients

• Taiwan Announces Amendments to Imported Food Inspection Fees

South Korea

South Korea Announces 2026 Re-evaluation of Nine Health Functional Food Ingredients

On January 23, 2026, the South Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) announced its 2026 plan to re-evaluate the safety and functionality of nine functional ingredients. The plan includes two noticed ingredients (Hyaluronic acid, Rhodiola rosea extract) and seven individually recognized ingredients (Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17, Mastic gum, Boswellia extract, Spanish Licorice extract, Turmeric extract, Green coffee bean extract, Lemon balm extract mixed powder). In addition, Garcinia cambogia extract will be further investigated in light of adverse event information identified in 2025.

More regulation highlights in South Korea:

• South Korea Clarifies Manufacturing Standards for Allulose

• South Korea Proposes Amendments to the HACCP Standards

• South Korea Proposes Amendment to Enforcement Decree of the Liquor Tax Act to Include Three Additional Additives Permitted in Fruit Wine

Japan

Japan Proposes Amending Use Standards for Food Additives Zinc Gluconate and Sulfites

On January 16, 2026, Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) released a draft notice to amend the Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, etc. The proposal focuses on revising the use standards for the designated additives Zinc Gluconate and Sulfites, clarifying their application in specific food categories, and setting new limits. The CAA is seeking public feedback on the draft until February 16, 2026. 

More regulation highlights in Japan:

• Japan Proposes to Revise MRLs for Six Pesticides and Veterinary Drugs

Southeast Asia

Vietnam Issues New Food Safety Implementation Decree No. 46/2026/ND-CP, Replacing Decree No. 15/2018/ND-CP

On January 26-27, 2026, Vietnam issued "Decree No. 46/2026/ND-CP", replacing Decree No. 15/2018/ND-CP; and "Resolution No. 66.13/2026/NQ-CP" regarding regulations on declaration and registration of food products. For international stakeholders, this means the product declaration and registration rules previously found in Decree 15 have been fully updated and replaced by these two new instruments. To be specific, these two instruments establish a comprehensive, "catch-all" regulatory regime that significantly broadens the scope of pre-market approval. Specifically, Decree No. 46 governs products with existing technical regulations, while the Resolution covers those lacking technical regulations and high-risk categories like health supplements. The two instruments came into effect on the promulgation date.

More regulation highlights in Southeast Asia:

• Vietnam Decree 37/2026/ND-CP Overhauls Product Quality and Labeling Rules to Replace Decrees 43/2017 and 111/2021

• Indonesia Drafts Strict Labeling Rules for Material Origin and Alcohol Content in Food and Health Supplements

• Indonesia Drafts List of Pharmaceutical Raw Materials for Health Supplements

• Malaysia Revises Variation Timelines for Health Supplements in DRGD Update

• Vietnam Issues Draft Circular Stipulating Regulations on Traceability of Food Products

• Malaysia Gazettes Food (Amendment) Regulations 2026, Affecting Food Contact Materials and Packaged Drinking Water

• Malaysia Updates the List of Recognized Foreign Halal Certification Bodies

• Malaysia Proposes Amendments to Food Regulations 1985, Affecting Regulations for Mineral and Packaged Water

• Malaysia Drafts Extensive Revisions to Pesticide MRLs in Food Regulations 1985

• Thailand FDA Opens Renewal Period for Food Import Licenses

• Singapore Implements Safety Assurance for Food Establishment Framework to Strengthen Food Safety

• Philippines Seeks Comments on Draft Standard for Mature Coconut Water

• Vietnam Issues Circular 03/2026/TT-BNNMT on Quarantine of Aquatic Animals and Their Products

• Vietnam Adds the Draft to Food Safety Law to 2026 Legislative Program

• Vietnam Plans to Update the Regulation QCVN 8-1:2011/BYT on Mycotoxin Limits in Food

India

FSSAI Announces New Policy on Compliance Timeline for Labelling Regulations

On January 6, 2026, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued an office order establishing a new policy for compliance timelines under the Food Safety and Standards Regulations. Following a decision in the 48th Food Authority Meeting, all amendments related to labelling shall take effect on July 1, with at least a 365-day transition period from their notification date. The policy covers amendments to the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations and any other regulations that specify labelling changes. The authority also stated that implementation or enforcement in emergency situations may be handled on a case-by-case basis.

More regulation highlights in India:

• FSSAI Releases Updated List of Recognized Food Testing Laboratories

• FSSAI Releases Draft Amendment on Food Business Licensing and Registration

• FSSAI Launches Online Training Programme on Food Safety Risk Assessment

• FSSAI Extends Compliance Deadline for New Meat Sausage Standards

European Union (EU)

EU Food Additive Regulatory Updates in 2026

On January 29, 2026, EU released Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/189 and Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/196 to revise Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 and Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012. Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/189 amends the use of shellac (E 904) in food for special medical purposes in tablet and coated tablet forms. Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/196 revises the use of carrageenan (E 407), locust bean gum (E 410), guar gum (E 412), gum arabic (acacia gum) (E 414), xanthan gum (E 415), pectins (E 440) and starch sodium octenyl succinate (E 1450). Both regulations enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

More regulation highlights in European Union (EU):

• EU Updates Official Controls on Certain Imported Foods of Non-Animal Origin

• 2026 Amendments to the EU Union List of Flavourings

• EU Issues Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/140, Amending Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 as Regards Maximum Residue Levels for Acequinocyl, Chlormequat, Metalaxyl-M, Pyraclostrobin, Sulfoxaflor and Trifloxystrobin in or on Certain Products

• EU Issues Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/147 Amending Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 as Regards Maximum Residue Levels for Benfluralin, Benthiavalicarb and Penflufen in or on Certain Products

• EU Updates the Maximum Residue Levels for Benfluralin, Benthiavalicarb and Penflufen in or on Certain Products

• EU Proposes to Amend Multiple Regulations for the Simplification and Strengthening of Food Safety Requirements Covering Pesticides Residue and GMOs

• EU Regulation Amending Lists of Third Countries Authorized for the Entry into the Union, Covering Meat Preparations, Aquaculture, Honey and Other Goods for Human Consumption

• EU Amends Maximum Residue Levels for Dimoxystrobin, Ethephon and Propamocarb in or on Certain Products

United States (US)

U.S. Releases 2026 Deliverables for Human Foods Program

On January 23, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Human Foods Program (HFP) released its 2026 Priority Deliverables, outlining key regulatory actions planned for the year. The 2026 deliverables are structured around three strategic pillars: Food Chemical Safety, Nutrition, and Microbiological Food Safety. Significant actions planned for 2026 include proposed regulation on mandatory GRAS notice submissions, prioritizing a shift from petroleum-based color additives to natural alternatives, guidance on NDI notifications, enhanced caffeine and allergen labeling, modernization of nutrient requirements for infant formulas, strategies to reduce added sugars in processed foods, etc

More regulation highlights in United States (US):

• U.S. Unveils 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines, Signaling Major Shift Toward "Real Food" and Nutrient-Dense Diets

• U.S. To Improve Gluten Ingredient Disclosure in Foods

• U.S. Enacts the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act Restoring Whole Milk Access in Schools

• FDA Releases New Interactive Tool for Total Diet Study (TDS) Results and New Data

• EPA Revises and Sets Additional Tolerances for Residues of Pyriofenone and Permethrin in Foods

Canada

Health Canada Consults on Proposed MRLs for Three Pesticides in January 2026

In January 2026, Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) issued consultation documents proposing Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for three pesticides, namely, Sedaxane, 1-Methylcyclopropene, and Isocycloseram. Health Canada will review all feedback before making a final decision.More regulation highlights in Canada:

Australia and New Zealand

New Zealand Launches Consultation on New Rules for Organic Certification Bodies

On January 20, 2026, New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) launched a public consultation on a draft notice setting new requirements for entities involved in certifying organic products. This is the second phase in developing supplementary rules under the Organic Products and Production Regulations and the Organic Standards Regulations. The proposed "Organic Notice: Recognised Entities, Verification and Evaluation (Tranche 2)" defines operational standards for recognised entities, covering recognition and accreditation, quality management systems, personnel competencies, record keeping, and verification and evaluation procedures. The consultation also includes a proposed amendment to the Organic Products and Production Regulations 2025 to allow on-request verification of specific export consignments, enabling recognised entities to provide official assurances needed to meet importing countries' requirements. Stakeholders are invited to submit feedback via email by March 2, 2026.

More regulation highlights in Australia and New Zealand:

• Australia and New Zealand Food Ingredients & Additives Updates in 2026

Recommended reading:

• Hot topic: Global Food Regulation Highlights, 2020-2026