Global Food Regulation Highlights | November 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 November 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

The General Administration of Customs of the P.R.C. (GACC) issued a notice on November 18, 2024, soliciting public feedback on the proposed revisions to the "Measures for Inspection, Quarantine, Supervision, and Administration of Imported and Exported Feed and Feed Additives" (hereinafter referred to as the draft).

The revised Administrative Measures expands from 70 to 76 articles, with 54 articles revised, 14 new articles added, and 8 articles deleted. Key revisions are summarized below. Feedback can be sent to liujinlong@customs.gov.cn before December 18, 2024. (Read More)

• China Collaborates with Australia and New Zealand on Organic Product Certification
  

• China Releases Health Food Re-licensing Review Key Points for Products Without Expiration Date and Product Technical Requirements

• China Unveils the Key Points and Determination Principle of Clinical Trial On-Site Inspection for FSMP Registration

• China Customs Further Streamlines the Pre-Import Quarantine Approval for Imported Foods, Affecting Dairy & Aquatic Products

• China Customs Rejected 198 Batches of Imported Food in October 2024

Regulation highlights in other areas of China:

• Taiwan Approves Import of Dutch Dairy Products with Electronic Health Certificate for Inspection

• Taiwan Revises Pesticide Residues in Foods, Involving Both Crops and Animal Products

• Taiwan to Amend Food Additives Regulation

• Taiwan Introduces Maximum Levels of Cadmium in Chocolate Products

South Korea

On November 14, 2024, South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) announced amendments to the Food Code, effective November 15, 2024, with exceptions for maximum residue limits for antimicrobials in livestock, fishery products, and honey, as well as modifications to soybean naming, which will take effect on January 1, 2026. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in South Korea:

• South Korea Proposes Amendments to Food Additive Code

• South Korea to Introduce and Revise Pesticide Residue Limits for Agricultural Products at the Production Stage

• South Korea Launches Food QR for Easier Access to Food Safety Information

• South Korea May Grant Deferral for Excellent Importers' Hygiene Inspections of Overseas Facilities Under Special Travel Alerts

Japan

On November 21, 2024, Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) released proposal No. 235110008 to revise Guidelines for the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) of Tablets, Capsules, Etc. (hereinafter the "GMP Guidelines"), with the aim of improving regulatory measures for similar products after the damaging incident involving Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's red yeast rice products. Any comments can be submitted before December 23, 2024 via e-Gov opinion form. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in Japan:

• Japan Revises the Specification Requirement for Additives, including Storage Standard and Use Limit

• Japan Proposes to Revise the Maximum Residue Limits of 16 Pesticides and Veterinary Drugs

• MAFF Updates the Standards for Macaroni Products

• Japan Releases 2023 Nutritional Survey Report on Food for Special Dietary Uses

• MAFF Updates the Standards for Flavored Seasoning

• MAFF Updates the Standards for Chilled Hamburger Steak and Chilled Meat Ball

Southeast Asia

Through WTO notification G/TBT/N/THA/747/Add.1, Thailand has officially communicated a new regulation governing the packaging and labeling of alcoholic beverages. The regulation, published in the Royal Gazette on November 8 and effective from November 9, 2024, mandates specific warning statements on all alcoholic beverage packaging.

The new regulatory requirements stipulate that alcoholic beverage packages must clearly display the following warnings in Thai:

1) It is prohibited to sell alcohol to persons under 20 years of age.

2) Drinking alcohol reduces the ability to drive vehicles.

3) Persons under 20 years of age should not drink.

(Read More)

More regulation highlights in Southeast Asia:

• Singapore Releases Trade Circular on Approval of Pork & Pork Products from Portugal

• Singapore Introduces the Food Safety and Security Bill

• Singapore Revises Import Procedures for Additional Processed Meat and Egg Products

• Indonesia Proposes Guidelines for Preclinical Toxicity Tests in Vivo

• Indonesia Notifies WTO Regarding the Control of Sugar, Salt and Fat Consumption in Processed Food

• Indonesia Consults on Risk Assessment of the Use of Raw Materials in Natural Drugs, Health Supplements, Quasi-Drugs, and Certain Preparations of Cosmetics

• Indonesia to Repeal BPOM Regulation No.16 of 2019 on the Supervision of Health Supplements

• Indonesia Publishes Regulation on the Supervision of Genetically Engineered Food Products

• Indonesia Notifies WTO Regarding the Maximum Residue Limits of Pesticide in Primary Foods

• Indonesia Unveils Guidance and Control of the Framework of Issuing Quality and Safety Assurance Certificates of Fishery Products

• Philippines Updates Requirements for License to Operate (LTO) Application

• Philippines to Amend Regulation on the Licensing of Food Business Operators and Registration of Processed Food

• Thailand Releases the Technical Standard for Honey Products

• [Updated] Vietnam to Update Regulations on Micronutrient Fortification in Foods 

• Vietnam's Ministry of Health Responds to Stakeholders' Feedback on the Proposed Food Safety Law

• Vietnam Customs Enhances the Inspection, Supervision, and Control of Imported Goods Traded via E-commerce

• Vietnam Issues Circular 14/2024/TT-BNNPTNT Regulating the List of Objects Subject to Plant Quarantine

• [Updated] Vietnam Issues the List of Milk and Functional Foods for Children Under 6 Years Subject to Price Declaration

India

On November 12, 2024, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) held a meeting with e-commerce Food Business Operators (FBOs) to reinforce compliance requirements for online food businesses. The meeting involves requirements to ensure transparency and consumer health protection. For instance, e-commerce FBOs are required to ensure that food products have a minimum shelf life of 30% or 45 days before expiry at the time of delivery to the consumer. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in India:

• FSSAI Requires Mandatory PAN compliance for FSSAI License/Registration

European Union (EU)

The flavouring substance Benzene-1,2-diol (FL No. 04.029) was removed from the Union list. Corresponding transitional measures are provided. (Read more)

More regulation highlights in European Union:

• EU Permits Iron Milk Caseinate as Iron Source in Food for Special Medical Purposes and Total Diet Replacement for Weight Control

• EU Amends Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1378 as Regards the Recognition of Certain Control Bodies in Accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/848 as Competent to Carry out Controls and Issue Organic Certificates in Third Countries for the Purpose of Imports of Organic Products into the Union

• EU Proposes a Regulation on Plants Obtained by Certain New Genomic Techniques and Their Food and Feed

• EU Amends Regulation (EU) 2018/848 as Regards the Presentation of the Organic Production Logo of the European Union

• EU Amends Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 as Regards Listeria Monocytogenes in Ready-to-eat Foods

United States (US)

On November 14, 2024, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a revised version of the Guidance for Industry: FDA's Voluntary Qualified Importer Program. The Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) allows faster review and importation of foods from importers who maintain high safety and security standards in their supply chains, which is a voluntary program that requires a fee.

According to the revised Guidance, FDA is implementing a revised inspection approach. Additionally, importers are given more flexibility in their operations. These updates came into force immediately. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in America:

• FDA Releases Supplement to the 2022 Food Code

• USDA Updates Yogurt Standards

• FDA Issues Request for Information on PFAS in Seafood

Canada

On November 8, 2024, Health Canada unveiled M-FAA-24-14 with immediate effect, modifying the Lists of Permitted Food Additives to set out the use of certain food colors, emulsifying agents and preservatives in two types of standardized flavoring preparations. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in Canada:

• Canada Proposes MRLs for Three Pesticides in Agricultural Products, Including Spinosad, Flonicamid and Florylpicoxamid

• Canada Amends the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations in City of Lloydminster

Australia and New Zealand

On November 22, 2024, the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) called for comments on two critical aspects of food packaging: the Health Star Rating (HSR) system and the Nutrition Information Panel (NIP). This consultation aims to refine nutrition labelling and enhance its effectiveness in guiding healthier food choices for consumers. The consultation findings will play a crucial role in shaping food ministers’ decisions on mandating the HSR system. Any feedback can be submitted before Jan 17, 2025. (Read More)

More regulation highlights in Australia and New Zealand:

• FSANZ Approves Two Processing Aids and one GM Food

• FSANZ Consults on Cultured Quail as a Novel Food

• Australia Released Amendments to the APVMA MRL Standard

• Australia Proposes to amend Schedule 20 in the Food Standards Code

• New Zealand Consulted on Animal Products Notice: Production, Supply and Processing

• Australia Added a New Import Pathway for Bovine Dairy from Japan to the 'Dairy' BICON case

• Australia Government Amended Import Conditions for Beef from Japan

• FSANZ Consulted on 2′-FL from GM Escherichia Coli W in Infant Formula Products

• Australia DAFF Consulted on Import Risk Review for Natural Casings

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

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | June 2024

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | July 2024

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | August 2024

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | September 2024

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | October 2024

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