Global Food Regulation Highlights | June 2024

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 June 2024 below.

For thorough and comprehensive monitoring of developments in specific business sector and markets, we highly recommend our customized risk alert and monitoring report service. This service empowers you to effectively stay informed about all the regulatory dynamics that can impact your business. With the added advantage of expert interpretation and analysis, our service offers you a comprehensive understanding of the significance and consequences of these regulatory changes. For more detailed information, we invite you to click on the provided sample of regulatory monitoring report.

China

On June 27, 2024, National Health Commission (NHC) announced to seek public comments on 14 national food safety standards. These include four product standards, five food additive standards, three operation and hygiene criteria, one testing standard, and notably, the GB 7718 General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods. Stakeholders are invited to submit their feedback online for the GB 7718 until July 10, 2024. For the remaining standards, comments are encouraged up until August 26, 2024. (Read More)

Other regulation highlights in Chinese Mainland:

• China Unveils the Draft of Food Labeling Supervision Administrative Measures

• CFSA Consults on Stevia Leaf Polyphenols as a Novel Food Raw Material

• CFSA Consults on Two New FCM Substances

• CFSA Consults on Nine New Food Additives, Involving 2'FL for Infant Formula

• China Lifts Pre-Import Quarantine Approval for Certain Animal and Plant Products

• China Customs Rejected 278 Batches of Imported Food in April 2024

• China Signed Food Safety Collaboration Agreement with New Zealand

• China and Australia Sign Cooperative Agreements in the Field of Market Regulation

Regulation highlights in other areas of China:

• Taiwan Proposes Amendments to the Labeling of Prepackaged Fresh Milk, Sterilized Milk, Flavored Milk, Milk Drink, and Milk Powder

• Taiwan Updates Directions for Declaration of Inspection Information of Imported Foods and Related Products

• Taiwan to Revise Fee-charging Standards for the Registration of Food and Food Additives, Further Clarifying the Standard for Registration Changes

• Hong Kong Announced the Extension of Operating Hours to 16 Hours for Fresh Produce Imported via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge

South Korea

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety revised the Regulation of False Labeling or Advertising Contents of Food. The regulation mainly bans the labeling and advertisements containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) for foods. Besides, medicine-related names are also prohibited.  (Read More)

More regulation highlights in South Korea:

• South Korea Enhances the Safety Control on Animal Products Importation

• South Korea Consults on the Food Additive Code

• South Korea Modifies the Regulations on Import Declaration and Inspection of Imported Food

• MFDS and APQA Signed Agreement to Efficiently Manage Livestock Products

• South Korea Revises the Enforcement Rule of Imported Food Act

• South Korea Modifies the Regulation of Re-Evaluation for Functional Raw Material

• South Korea Updates the Standards and Specifications of the Food Utensils, Containers, and Packaging

• South Korea Signs the Fishery Product Sanitary Agreement with Spain

• South Korea Publishes the Regulation on the Operation of Good Manufacturing Practice for Health Functional Food
  

Japan

On June 27, 2024, Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) unveiled a draft amendment to the Food Labeling Standards, seeking for public comment till July 26, 2024. The key changes focus on Food with Function Claims (FFC), involving labeling requirements and detailed provisions for the notification process. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in Japan:

• Japan Publicly Solicits Opinions on the Evaluation of Five Food Safety-related Substances, Covering Food Additive and Pesticide

• Japan Proposes to Revise the Maximum Residue Limits of 12 Pesticides and Veterinary Drugs
  

Southeast Asia 

As revealed by an official notice issued on June 25, 2024, Vietnam's Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) is now soliciting public feedback to develop its draft “Decree on the Management of Halal Products and Services”. Any opinions can be sent to vuhchq@tcvn.gov.vn prior to July 25, 2024. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in Southeast Asia:

• Thailand Amends the Regulation on Food with Toxic Residue

• Indonesia Unveils Regulation on Health Supplement Labels

• Vietnam Issues Decision to Update Registration Requirements in the Field of Food Safety and Nutrition

• Vietnam to Impose a 10% Special Consumption Tax on Sugary Beverages and Increase the Tax on Alcoholic Drinks to Protect Health 
  

• BPJPH Invites Business Associations and Importers to Discuss the Implementation of Mandatory Halal Certification

• Philippines Modifies the Nomenclature and Rates of Import Duty on Various Products

• Philippines Set to Expand Meat Imports in 2024

• Thailand Proposes to Exempt Some Expenses in the Food Authorization Process

• Thailand Is to Revise the MOPH Notification on Food Labeling

• Thai Industrial Standard Institute Consults on TIS Standard Plastic Bags for Food

• Thai Industrial Standard Institute Consults on TIS Standard Microwavable Food Plastic Bag for Reheating
  

India

On June 10, 2024, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) updated two draft amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011. The two drafts are both called the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulations, 2024. Major contents involve food additives, and food products such as dairy products. Any feedback can be submitted within 60 days since the gazettal date. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in India:

• FSSAI Directs FBOs to Remove Claim of 100% Fruit Juices from the Label and Advertisement of Fruit Juices

• FSSAI Releases Draft Notification of Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Amendment Regulations, 2024

• FSSAI Invites Comments on the Basic Food Import Clearance Fee (BFICF)
  

European Union (EU) 

As per an official news issued on June 12, 2024, the European Union (EU) has taken a major step towards banning the chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) from food contact materials, with member states having endorsed a proposal from the European Commission to prohibit the use of BPA in these products. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in EU:

• EU Approves Iron Milk Caseinate as a Form of Iron for Food and Food Supplement Manufacturing

• EU Amends Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470, the Union List of Novel Foods

• EU Amends Regulation (EU) 2023/915 on Maximum Levels for Certain Contaminants in Foods

• EU‘s Initiative Establishing Analytical Methods Applicable to Official Controls Performed for the Verification of Compliance of Food Business Operators with Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005

• Revisions Regarding Organic Products: 1) Initiative on Imports of Organic Products Regarding Certification and Checks of Certain Operators in Non-EU Countries; 2)  Initiative on Organic Products Regarding List of Recognised Control Authorities and Control Bodies for the Imports of Organic Products Compliant with EU Rules; and 3) EU to Revise the Import Checks and Sampling of High-risk Organic and In-conversion Products

• EU's Calling for Evidence Regarding the Evaluation of the Mutual Recognition of Goods
  

United States (US)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), polymer with 1,2-ethandiol, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, hexanedioic acid, 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 1,1′-methylenebis[4-isocyanatobenzene] and 2-ethyl-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol on food or feed commodities under certain situations.   (Read More)

More regulation highlights in America:

• U.S. Finalized the PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation

• U.S. Corrects the Guidance of Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Human Food

• U.S. FDA Proposes to Exempt A-Grade Cottage Cheese from Traceability Requirements

• U.S. Permits the Importation of Fresh Ginseng Roots from South Korea

• U.S. Will Sponsor a Public Meeting to Provide Information and Receive Public Comments on The Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses on September 3, 2024. 
  

• U.S. FDA Consults on the Exemption of Alpha-Pinene, Anisyl Alcohol, Butyl Salicylate, Cineole, and Phenylacetaldehyde
  

• U.S. EPA Consults on New Uses for A New Pesticide Product Containing Dicamba, A Currently Registered Active Ingredient

• U.S. Establishes Tolerances for Residues of Spiromesifen in/on Oranges and Orange Oil. 

Canada 

On June 5, 2024, the Government of Canada published Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 158, Number 12, including two new Markeating Authorizations (MAs) that impact certain dairy products, with immediate effect. The two MAs introduce changes pertaining to voluntary vitamin D fortification and front-of-package (FOP) labeling. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in Canada:

• Canada Proposes to Streamline Requirements for Cannabis Regulations
  

• Canada Proposes MRLs for Four Pesticides in Agricultural Products, Including Cyflumetofen, Bromoxynil, Trifloxystrobin, and Abamectin

• Health Canada's plan to address health product shortages, 2024 to 2028
  

Australia and New Zealand 

On June 13, 2024, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) announced the approval of P1028 – Infant Formula, making significant amendments to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code). This approval mainly introduces new product category, composition, and labelling of infant formula products. Food ministers were notified of the approval. If no review is requested within 60 days, the Code will be amended accordingly. The changes will take effect upon gazettal, with a five-year transition period granted by FSANZ. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in Australia and New Zealand:

• Australia and New Zealand to Amend Food Standards Code, Involving Irradiation and Infant Formula Products

• Australia and New Zealand May Consider Making Health Star Rating Labeling System Mandatory

• Australia Updates Listed Medicine Ingredients, Affecting Health Supplements

• New Prices for Biosecurity and Imported Food Regulatory Activities will Commence in Australia on 1 July 2024
  

Recommended reading:

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | January 2024

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | February 2024

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | March 2024

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | April 2024

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | May 2024

• Hot topic: Global Food Regulation Highlights, 2020-2024