Global Food Regulation Highlights | March 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 March 2026 below.

China

China Issues Implementation Details for Decree 280 on the Registration of Overseas Food Producers, Clarifying Food Requiring Recommended Registration

On March 18, 2026, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) issued Announcement No. 27 of 2026, providing essential implementation guidelines for the new Regulations on the Registration and Administration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food (Decree 280). The announcement outlines three primary catalogues governing the registration process under Decree 280's risk-based management principles, and clarifies the customs declaration requirements of imported food.

More highlights in Chinese Mainland:

• China SAMR Clarifies FSMP Registration Requirements Under New GB Standards

• China Proposes First Recommended National Standard for Probiotics as Health Food Raw Materials

• China Consults on GB/T Standards for Four Health Food Raw Materials Including Coenzyme Q10 and Melatonin

• [Updated] 2026 China Customs Rejection Data: 452 Batches of Imported Food in February

• SAMR Releases the 2026 Edition of Production License Examination Rules for FSMP

• China Customs to Implement Nationwide Policy Simplifying E-Commerce Export Returns

• China Proposes Streamlined Filing Process for Food Importers and Exporters

Highlights in other areas of China:

• Taiwan Revises Import Inspection Codes F01 and F02 for Food and Related Products

• Taiwan Revises the Method of Test for Aflatoxins, Propylene Glycol, and Mycotoxins in Pet Foods

• Taiwan Revises the Test Method for Pesticide Residues in Pet Food

South Korea

South Korea Amends the Food Code to Update Ingredient Classification and Pesticide MRLs

On March 16, 2026, South Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced partial amendment to the Food Code, which took force immediately. The amendment primarily focuses on modifying plant-based ingredient classifications, revising frozen food preservation standards, updating pesticide MRLs, and establishing new food testing methods.

More regulation highlights in South Korea:

• MFDS Proposes Partial Amendment to the Enforcement Rule and Decree of the Livestock Products Sanitary Control Act

• South Korea Releases the Updated Food and Livestock Product Safety Management Certification Standards

Southeast Asia

Indonesia Overhauls Food Safety Regulation

The Indonesian government has finally unveiled Government Regulation No. 1 of 2026, which updated its food safety regulatory framework stated in Government Regulation No. 86 of 2019 on Food Safety. The revised regulation introduces stricter requirements for food production, packaging, additives, licensing, and import controls while emphasizing risk-based safety management and stronger supervision throughout the food chain. The new regulation has already taken effect on January 5, 2026.

More regulation highlights in Southeast Asia:

• Indonesia Revises Maximum Microbial Contamination Limits for Processed Food

• Thailand Proposes Update to Permitted Food Enzyme List

• Thailand Extends Implementation Timeline for Food Contact Paper Regulation to June 2027

• Thailand Amends Food Registration Requirements

• Thailand's FDA Opens Consultation on New Registration Rules for Goat Milk

• Thailand Consults on Regulation for Goat Milk and Flavored Goat Milk

• Thailand Proposes New Rules for QR-Coded Liquor Tax Stamps

• Vietnam Consults on Extending Suspension of Decree 46 and Resolution 66.13 on Food Safety and Registration Pending New Food Safety Law

• Vietnam Issues New National Technical Regulation for Fluid Milk Products

• Vietnam Promulgates a New Circular Regulating the Traceability of Food Products

• Vietnam Issues the Consolidated Customs Law on Import and Export Goods

• Vietnam Issues Procedure for Issuing and Reissuing Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Certificates for Domestic Health Supplements

• Vietnam Consults on the National Technical Regulation on Alcoholic Beverage Products

South Asia

India Amends Food Labelling and Display Regulations

On March 30, 2026, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) officially released the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) First Amendment Regulations, 2026. This amendment introduces critical updates to the mandatory labeling rules, specifically overhauling the requirements for non-retail containers, modifying nutritional information exemptions, and refining warning declarations for specific food categories. The amended regulations will officially come into force on July 1, 2027.

More regulation highlights in South Asia:

• India Overhauls Food Licensing Rules: Permits to Get Perpetual Validity

• FSSAI Mandates Registration for Independent Milk Producers and Vendors

• FSSAI Suspends Four Notified Laboratories

• FSSAI Revises Turnover Thresholds for Food Business Licensing

• FSSAI Introduces Online Food Recall Functionality in FoSCoS Portal

• FSSAI Issues Compliance Obligations for E-commerce FBOs on ONDC Model

• FSSAI Releases FAQs on New Food Business Licensing Regulations

• Sri Lanka Updates Imports and Exports (Control) Regulations. No. 02 of 2026

European Union (EU)

EU Proposes Maximum Levels for Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Food

On March 11, 2026, the European Union notified through the WTO a draft amendment to Regulation (EU) 2023/915 that sets maximum levels for mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) in a wide range of food categories. The measure aims to reduce potential genotoxic and carcinogenic risks from MOAH exposure and applies irrespective of the contamination source. The draft specifies limits for products such as oilseeds, fats and oils, tree nuts, pulses, cereals, milk and dairy products, cocoa and chocolate, spices, foods for infants and young children, food supplements, and food additives, including calculation rules for processed foods. For example, milk has a maximum level of 0.50 mg/kg, dairy products have tiered limits based on fat content, and food supplements have a limit of 10.0 mg/kg from January 1, 2027, tightening to 5.0 mg/kg from January 1, 2030. Transitional provisions allow food lawfully placed on the market before the application dates to remain until their minimum durability or use-by dates, with phased reductions for some categories. The consultation period runs until May 10, 2026, and entry into force is proposed for January 1, 2027, requiring food business operators to monitor and control MOAH along the supply chain and to implement mitigation measures, particularly for products with phased limit reductions.

More regulation highlights in European Union (EU):

• Germany Releases Revised Guidelines for Wine-Like and Sparkling Wine-Like Beverages

• European Union Proposes to Prohibit Monacolins from Red Yeast Rice in Food Products

• EU Proposes to Amend Maximum Levels of 3-MCPD and Glycidyl Fatty Acid Esters in Certain Foods

• EU Proposes Maximum Levels for Furan and Methylfurans in Baby Foods

• WTO Notification: EU Issues Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/196, Amending Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 Regarding Food Additive Uses

• France Proposes Ban on Added Sugars in Infant Formula and Baby Food

• EU Amends Maximum Residue Levels for Cyflufenamid, Fenazaquin and Nicotine in Certain Products

United States (US)

FDA Delays Effective Date for Natural Color Additives Beetroot Red and Spirulina Extract

On March 24, 2026, the U.S. FDA announced an indefinite delay in the effective date for two natural color additives beetroot red and spirulina extract, triggered by formal objections and a hearing request. FDA stated that the delay does not change its scientific conclusion that the intended use poses a reasonable certainty of no harm and has not yet decided whether the objections are justified or if a hearing will be granted. FDA will announce a new effective date or further actions in the future announcement.

More regulation highlights in United States (US):

• EPA Establishes Tolerance Exemption for Dimethylpolysiloxane in Pesticide Formulations as an Inert Ingredient

Australia and New Zealand

FSANZ Approves Regulatory Changes to Caffeine in Food

On March 24, 2026, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) approved draft regulatory variations under Proposal P1056 to revise caffeine regulations in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. The changes prohibit the retail sale of pure caffeine and guarana extract unless specifically permitted and ban the addition of caffeine from any source to foods for retail sale without express permission. Previous concentration thresholds from Proposal P1054 are removed due to the new total prohibition on unauthorized caffeine addition. Standard 2.9.4 is amended to allow Formulated Supplementary Sports Foods (FSSF) to contain up to 200 mg total caffeine per recommended one-day quantity, while still prohibiting caffeine concentrations of 5% or more in powders and 1% or more in liquids. Packaged coffee beverages containing 200 mg or more of caffeine per serve must now carry specific advisory statements and declare caffeine content in the Nutrition Information Panel. The variation took effect on gazettal, with a 2‑year transitional period.

Middle East

GCC Notifies Draft Standards for Sweetened Condensed and Evaporated Milks

On March 26, 2026, GCC member states (UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia) notified the WTO of two draft Gulf technical regulations: GSO 05/DS/2211:2025 for sweetened condensed milks and GSO 05/FDS/2296:2025 for evaporated milks. The drafts define the scope and product categories, establish minimum and maximum levels for milk fat, milk solids, and milk protein for various condensed and evaporated milk types, and set requirements for raw materials, permitted ingredients (including sugar types and levels under GMP), and food additives in line with GSO 2500. They also specify detailed labeling rules, including product naming based on composition and mandatory declaration of milk fat and protein contents, and require compliance with existing GSO limits for microbiological contaminants and residues.

Others

Bangladesh Consults on the Revision of National Standard for Fruit Drinks

On March 3, 2026, the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) released a circulation draft for the third revision of the national standard "BDS 1581 Specification for Fruit Drinks" to seek public comments.

This revised standard comprehensively updates the quality, safety, and formulation requirements for fruit drinks, notably revising the list of permitted optional ingredients, introducing stricter microbiological limits, and upgrading labeling practices to align with current industry trends. Stakeholders and relevant enterprises must submit their feedback before the consultation deadline on April 25, 2026.