Global Food Regulation Highlights | June 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 June of 2023 below:

China 

On June 21, 2023, China National Health Commission (NHC) opened one novel food raw material Yerba mate for public comments. According to the notification, the consumption method of Yerba mate is specified as brew. Besides, infants and young children, pregnant and lactating women should avoid taking foods containing this raw material. Comments can be sent to xspyl@cfsa.net.cn before July 21. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in China:

• China SAMR Expands Raw Material Directories and Function Claims for Health Food (Nutrient Supplement)

• China Appends Soybean Protein Isolate and Whey Protein into Health Food Raw Materials Directory

• NHC Consults on Three New Food Additives

• China Customs Rejected 118 Batches of Imported Food in May 2023

• SAMR Consults on 13 Recommended (GB/T) Food Standards

• China Unveils National Food Safety Standard Legislation Plan for 2023

• Taiwan Unveils the Use Restrictions and Labeling Requirements for Two Novel Food Raw Materials, Hen egg white lysozyme hydrolysate and Brassica oleracea var. italica

• Taiwan to Amend Processing Standard for Food Irradiation

• Taiwan Updates Residue Limits for Pesticides in Food and Animal Products

South Korea 

On June 20, 2023, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) published a notification to solicit public opinion on the amendments to the Food Additive Code. Suggestions can be sent to MFDS before August 21, 2023. The major amendments include: (1) expanding the scope of microorganisms that can be exempted from submitting safety data for new food additive recognition, (2) permitting iron oxide to be used in health functional food, (3) newly adding four diluents for mixed preparations, and (4) expanding the criteria for using hexane. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in South Korea:

• South Korea Revises the Enforcement Rule of Imported Food Act

• South Korea Designates Prohibited Ingredients in Foods

• South Korea to Introduce Microplastic Control Act

• South Korea Modifies the Regulation on Inspection of Imported Food

• South Korea to Implement Digital Inspection on Imported Food within this Year

• South Korea Approves GM Microorganisms Used as Food Material

• South Korea to Update the Nutrient Standard for Foods with High Calorie and Low Nutrition

• South Korea Consults on the Quality Standard for Children Favorite Food

• South Korea Seeks Public Comments on Safety Review Reports for Two Food Additives Derived from GM Microorganisms

• The Ministry of the Environment will Fully Implement the Recyclable Economy in All Sectors

Japan 

On June 20, 2023, Japan MHLW announced to initiate an investigation for existing additives. According to Food Sanitation Law and Nutrition Improvement Law, MHLW is authorized to create and publish a list of planned elimination additives for existing additives that are currently not being used for sale, based on their sales, manufacturing, import, processing, use, storage and display status. 132 additives have been eliminated so far. Currently, MHLW is conducting a preliminary investigation on the actual sales conditions of 357 additives on the existing additive list. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in Japan:

• CAA Approves One Food for Special Health Food Labeling

• Japan Proposes to Revise MRLs for Pesticides and Veterinary Drugs in Food

Southeast Asia 

On June 6, 2023, Indonesia BPOM unveiled Regulation Number 13 of 2023 concerning Food Categories, which came into force immediately after its promulgation and supersedes previous regulation. For processed foods already obtained circulation permits, they shall comply with this new regulation no later than 30 months after its implementation. The new regulation not only specifies the definition and basic features of each food category, but also stipulates the use of raw materials in processed food. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in Southeast Asia:

• Thailand Consults on MOPH Announcement Regarding Dietary Supplements

• Thailand Proposes to Revise the Food Labeling Requirements and Prohibit the Sales of Small-Size Jelly

• Thailand Unveils New Regulations for Products Derived from Cocoa Beans, and Chocolate and its Products

• Philippines Launches a New Round of Consultation on Amended Requirements for LTO Application

• Vietnam Solicits Public Feedbacks to Revise the Maximum Level of Mycotoxins Contamination in Food

• Vietnam Issues Decision on Stipulating the Application of Normal Tax Rates to Imported Goods

• Vietnam Stipulates the Competence to Revoke the Certificate Regarding Food Safety in the Fields Assigned by the Ministry of Health

• Malaysia Issues Directive Regarding Addition of Warning Statement for Health Supplement Products Containing Chromium Active Ingredients

India  

On June 21, 2023, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) released direction, saying that the government decides to promote organic products. Therefore, all FSSAI notified food testing laboratories are required to optimize their facilities and procedures to handle organic testing efficiently and accurately. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in India:

• FSSAI Requires to Ensure Effective Compliance with the Rule Prohibiting the Use of Packing Films around Sweet Boxes

EU 

In June of 2023, EU amended the use of polyglycerol polyricinoleate (E 476), specifications for glycerol (E 422), polyglycerol esters of fatty acids (E 475) and polyglycerol polyricinoleate (E 476). (Read More) Besides, as revealed by WTO notification, EU is to amend rules regarding food additive stearyl tartrate (E483).

More regulation highlights in EU:

• Rejected Health Claims on Food (L 147/2; L 151/1)

• Adding Nicotinamide Riboside Chloride as a Form of Niacin in Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006

• Revision on Maximum Residue Levels of Pesticides in or on Food and Feed of Plant and Animal Origin (L 143/27; L 143/40; G/SPS/N/EU/642; G/SPS/N/EU/646; G/SPS/N/EU/606/Add.1; G/SPS/N/EU/649)

• Amendment on Pharmacologically Active Substances and Their Classification Regarding Maximum Residue Limits in Foodstuffs of Animal Origin (G/SPS/N/EU/647; G/SPS/N/EU/648)

• Consultation on Health Risks of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) in Food, Especially Infant Formula

• UPDATES FOR FCM ENTERPRISES: A) The release of “EN 17665:2022+A1:2023, Packaging – Test Methods and Requirements to Demonstrate that Plastic Caps and Lids Remain Attached to Beverage Containers”; B) Factual Summary Report on Public’s Feedback on the Revision of Food Contact Material Rules; C) To Amend Undecafluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA), Its Salts and PFHxA-related Substance for Paper and Cardboard Used as Food Contact Materials

• Proposal on the Transparency and Integrity of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Rating Activities

UK  

On June 20, 2023, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) launched a new system for enterprises to submit applications for products required for premarket authorizations. Involved product types include: extraction solvents, flavorings, food contact materials, food additives, food enzymes, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) as food and feed, novel foods, feed additives, etc. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in UK:

• Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023

• The UK and ASEAN Celebrate Co-operation on International Standards

• Border Target Operating Model Update

• The Persistent Organic Pollutants (Amendment) Regulations 2023

• UK Seeks Evidence in the Safety and Stability of Plastic FCM Containing Bamboo or Other Plant-based Material as Additives and Products on the Market Should Be Withdrawn

• Consultation on Updates to Food Standards Scotland's Technical Guidance on Food Allergen Labelling and Information Requirements

• Updated Code of Practice for Local Authorities in England and Northern Ireland to Focus Inspection Efforts on Higher Risk Food Businesses

• Explanatory Memorandum on EU Law Concerning Foodstuff Marketing (COM(2023)201)

• New GB MRL for Cyflufenamid and Fosetyl-Al Amending the GB MRL Statutory Register

America 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released its amendments on Commodity Specification for Canned Fruit, which came into effect in June 2023. The changes are mainly around peaches and pears (intended for furthering processing, not direct delivery). Major contents are as follows: (1) The peaches and pears used for canning may be either fresh, frozen, or aseptically packaged; (2) Natural flavoring may be added to improve or increase the natural flavor; (3) Ascorbic acid and/or Citric acid may be added; (4) The cans must be unlabeled, blank aluminum/silver cans. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in America:

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

• U.S Announces the Results of the Detection of PFAS in Food

Canada 

On June 9, 2023, Health Canada unveiled NOM/ADM-0204 with immediate effect, modifying the List of Permitted Food Enzymes to enable the use of maltogenic α-amylase from B. subtilis ROM in bread, flour, whole wheat flour, and unstandardized bakery products. The requested maximum level of use for this food enzyme is Good Manufacturing Practice. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in Canada:

• Canada Proposes the MRLs for Eight Pesticides in Food, Including Fenhexamid, Flumioxazin, Ethalfluralin, Cyflumetofen, Chloropicrin, Spiromesifen, Acequinocyl and Fludioxonil

• Health Canada Publishes the Latest Food Safety Testing Reports

Australia and New Zealand 

On June 8, 2023, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) opened public feedback on the use of four HiMO ingredients as nutritive substances in infant formula products. Any comments can be sent back before July 7, 2023. The detailed substances under consultation are:

Ÿ   Mixture of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) and difucosyllactose (DFL) ("2' FL/DFL"); 

Ÿ   Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT); 

Ÿ   6'-Sialyllactose (6'-SL) sodium salt; and 

Ÿ   3'-Sialyllactose (3'-SL) sodium salt. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in Australia and New Zealand:

• FSANZ Receives the Application of Steviol Glycosides as a Food Additive in Food for Special Medical Purposes

• New Zealand Reports Back the Therapeutic Products Bill

• FSANZ Approves Three Processing Aids for Use in Food Production

• FSANZ Opens Two Processing Aids for Public Feedback

• FSANZ Accepts the Application of Transglutaminase from GM Bacillus Licheniformis as a Processing Aid

• FSANZ Receives the Application of Rosemary Extract as a Food Additive

• FSANZ Receives the Application for the Sale and Use of Food Derived from Herbicide-tolerant Soybean Line MON94313

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 | 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