Global Food Regulation Highlights | October 2025

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 October 2025 below.

China

China Updates Overseas Food Manufacturer Registration Provisions

On October 14, 2025, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) issued Decree No. 280, announcing the latest version of Regulations on the Registration and Administration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food. The decree will enter into force on June 1, 2026, replacing the current version (Decree No. 248) issued in 2021. (Read more)

More highlights in Chinese Mainland:

• [Updated] China Food Additives Updates in 2025: CFSA Consulted on Ten New Food Additives

• [Updated] 2025 China Customs Rejection Data: 443 Batches of Imported Food in September
  

• China's MARA to Implement Six Types of Electronic Certificates, Covering the Certificate for Imported Feed and Feed Additives Registration

Highlights in other areas of China:

• Taiwan FDA Announces Draft Revision to Gastrointestinal Function Improvement Assessment Methods for Health Foods

• Taiwan Expands Food Safety Monitoring and Inspection Obligations for Importers

• Taiwan FDA Proposes Revisions to Bromate Testing Methods for Packaged and Bottled Drinking Water

• Taiwan Updates Testing Method for Phosphoric Acid in Beverages

• Taiwan FDA Proposes Draft "Health Food Hygiene Standards"

South Korea

South Korea Proposes Amendments to Health Functional Food Regulations

On Oct 17, 2025, South Korea MFDS released draft amendments to three health functional food regulations for public consultation. Under the draft amendments, a new precautionary label for Garcinia Cambogia extract will be required to warn rare liver damage and advise against alcohol consumption during intake; recognition applications for new functional ingredients will no longer require pesticide residue tests unless the ingredient is plant-based; re-evaluation procedures will allow one extension of up to two years for submitting supplementary data such as new human test results. (Read more)

More regulation highlights in South Korea:

• [Updated] Imported Foods Subject to Inspection Order in South Korea

• South Korea Proposes Amendments to Enforcement Rule and Enforcement Decree of the Livestock Products Sanitary Control Act, Easing Regulations for Livestock Product Businesses

• South Korea Expands Food Categories for Sodium and Sugar Reduction Labeling

• South Korea to Incorporate Time Bar Code Technology in Food QR System to Block Sales of Expired Foods

Japan

Japan Amends the Positive List for Food Contact Materials and Packaging

On October 7, 2025, the Japan Consumer Affairs Agency (CCA) published the Notification No.601 which includes the amendments to the "Monomers, etc. constituting the base materials specified in Table 1 of Appended Table 1 of Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, Etc.". This amendment was enacted on the same day. (Read more)

More regulation highlights in Japan:

• Japan Proposes Amendments to Testing Methods for Mineral Water Standards

• Japan's CAA Clarifies Disclosure Rules for Enzyme-Producing Microorganisms in Food Additives

• Japan Proposes to Change the Maximum Residue Limits for Six Pesticides and Veterinary Drugs

Southeast Asia

Thailand to Expand Positive List of Ingredients with Health Claims

On Oct 15, 2025, Thailand's FDA announced a proposal to expand the Positive List of ingredients with permitted health claims for food products. The list compiles scientifically validated health claims and builds on Ministry of Public Health Notification No. 447 (2023) on health claims labeling, which currently includes 147 claims for 36 substances. The FDA is reviewing additional six claims and four substances, aiming to reach 150 items by 2027 and establish a central national database to support Thailand’s Future Food industry. (Read more)

More regulation highlights in Southeast Asia:

• Indonesia BPOM Mandates Risk Assessment for Raw Materials in Health Supplements

• Indonesia BPOM Issues New Regulation on Risk-Based Business Licensing for Food and Drug Sectors

• Indonesia Releases Strategic Plan for Food and Drug Supervision 2025-2029

• Indonesia Publishes Guidelines on the Use of Microorganisms in Processed Foods

• Indonesia Releases Draft Regulation for Food Contact Materials

• Indonesia BPOM to Amend Health Supplement Registration Regulation

• Indonesia Consults on Amending Microbial Contaminant Limits for Processed Foods

• Malaysia Gazettes New Customs Duties Order 2025

• Malaysia Consults on Food Regulations 1985 Amendments for Permitted Claims in Foods and HMOs in Infant Formula

• Malaysia Proposes Amendments to Food Regulations for Permitted Probiotic Cultures

• Malaysia Implements New Farmatag® Safety Label for All Registered Pharmaceutical Products, Including Health Supplement

• Philippines FDA Proposes Automated User Account System to Streamline Online Submissions

• Singapore Revises Veterinary Import Conditions for Chilled Pork to Address the Risk of Trichinella

• SFA Launches Food Business Portal to Enhance Industry Communication, Traceability, and Recall Management

• Thai FDA to Promote Domestic Probiotic Strains and Streamline Market Access

• Thai FDA to Launch E-Certificate System to Digitize Health Product Licensing

• Vietnam Proposes New Quarantine Regulations for Terrestrial Animals and Products

• Vietnam to Amend Decree No. 115/2018/ND-CP to Increase Penalties for Food Safety Violations

India

India Proposes to Ban PFAS and BPA in Food Contact Materials

On October 6, 2025, the Indian Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) released a draft notification proposing amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018. Specifically, the draft amendments include two key provisions:

1. The prohibition of the use of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) in the manufacturing of food contact materials.

2. A requirement that food contact materials made with polycarbonate and epoxy resins must be free from Bisphenol A (BPA) and its derivatives.

(Read more)

More regulation highlights in India:

• India Introduces Seasonal Food Business Registration System

• India Updates the List of FSSAI Recognized Food Testing Laboratories

European Union (EU)

[Updated] EU Food Additive Regulatory Updates in 2025

On October 15, 2025, the EU issued Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/2060 and Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/2058 to amend food additive rules. Namely, the amendment revises the use of sorbic acid (E 200) and potassium sorbate (E 202) in non-heat-treated plant-based mousses; and overhauls the food additive rules for foods intended for particular nutritional uses. On October 20, the EU issued another regulation, Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/2084, revising the use requirements and the specification for quillaia extract (E 999). (Read more)

More regulation highlights in European Union (EU):

• European Union to Refuse Authorisation of Health Claim on Creatine and Cognitive Function

• EU Updates Regulation on Fluralaner Residue Limits in Animal-Derived Food Products

• EU Opens Feedback Period to Update the List of Non-EU Countries Permitted to Export Animals and Goods into the European Union

• EU Approves Removal of 'Ordinary Virgin Olive Oil' Category Effective 2028

• EU Commission Amends List of Recognized Control Bodies for Organic Imports

United States (US)

EPA Establishes Residue Tolerances for Pesticide Amicarbazone in Sugarcane and Molasses

On October 1, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established residue tolerances for the pesticide amicarbazone at 0.2 ppm in or on sugarcane (cane) and 0.5 ppm in or on sugarcane (molasses). The regulation took effect on October 1, 2025. (Read more)

More regulation highlights in United States (US):

• FDA Announces First Use of Import Certification Authority for Certain Shrimp and Spices Potentially Contaminated with Cesium-137

• EPA Establishes Tolerance Exemptions for Residues of Biofungicides Asfbiof01-02 Polypeptide and Priestia Megaterium Strain SYM36613 in or on All Food Commodities

Canada

Health Canada Consults on Revised Guidance for Natural Health Product Summary Reports

Health Canada launched a 60-day consultation on October 24, 2025 for a draft guidance revising requirements for preparing and submitting summary reports for marketed drugs and Natural Health Products (NHPs). The draft separates guidance for products under the Food and Drug Regulations and the Natural Health Products Regulations, and formalizes a notification process for significant changes via a new form. It expands content expectations for Annual Summary Reports, including detailed analyses for NHPs (e.g., safety actions, exposure data, medication errors, lack of effectiveness, and safety signals). Administrative updates include an ASR note to reviewer, a 70-day preparation timeline after the data lock point, and continued ASR obligations for discontinued products until the last lot's expiry. (Read more)

More regulation highlights in Canada:

• Canada Opens Consultation on Proposed Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) for Isocycloseram in Multiple Foods

Australia and New Zealand

New Zealand Consults on Draft Organic Standards Notice

On October 30, 2025, the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) released the draft of Organic Standards Notice for public consultation. This notice is designed to provide essential technical guidance to supplement the Organic Standards Regulations 2025 and Organic Products and Production Regulations 2025. The consultation process will be conducted in three stages throughout 2025, with the first stage currently underway. Stakeholders are invited to submit comments on Tranche 1 prior to December 5, 2025. (Read more)

More regulation highlights in Australia and New Zealand:

• New Zealand Proposed to Amend Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds

• FSANZ Proposes to Approve 2′-FL from GM Corynebacterium Glutamicum (Gene Donor: Corynebacterium Urealyticum) for Use in Infant Formula Products

• FSANZ Permit the use of Three New Enzymes Sourced from A Genetically Modified (GM) Strain of Escherichia coli as Processing Aids for the Enzymatic Conversion of the Steviol Glycoside Rebaudioside A to Rebaudioside M

• FSANZ Proposes Tighter Controls on Guarana and High-Caffeine Beverages in New Consultation

Recommended reading:

• Hot topic: Global Food Regulation Highlights, 2020-2025

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | January 2025

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | February 2025

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | March 2025

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | April 2025

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | May 2025

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | June 2025

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | July 2025

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | August 2025

• Global Food Regulation Highlights | September 2025