2022 witnessed a series of significant food regulation updates worldwide. Upon the end of 2022, ChemLinked picked out the top 10 most important updates.
1. China Unveils the New GB Standards for Dairy Products, Food Contact Materials, Beverage, and Maximum Levels of Contaminants in Foods
On July 28, 2022, China National Health Commission (NHC) jointly with the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) unveiled 36 new national food safety standards and 3 amendment sheets, including:
The full text of all those standards can be found in ChemLinked Food Regulatory Database. You can also click here to read more about these new GB standards.
CL interpretation Most of the new GB standards will be effective starting from 2023. Therefore, stakeholders should study the regulation changes carefully and make full preparation before importing relevant products to China. |
2. Singapore Updates Food Regulations 2022
On September 26, 2022, Singapore Food Agency announced the approval of the proposed amendment to Food Regulation. The competent authority will delete the food products identity standards in Regulations 39 to 260 of Food Regulations, except those continue to be required for food safety reasons, or for supporting public-health-related policies. The deletion will be carried out in two phases, and the identity standards of 59 food products have been removed during the Phase 1 (by the fourth quarter of 2022). (Read more)
CL interpretation SFA makes this essential regulatory change to stimulate product innovation and satisfy the consumers demands. As the restriction is removed, businesses now have more freedom in innovating new products. However, it does not mean that these food products are exempted from supervision in Singapore. |
3. Japan Revises the Labeling Standards for Nutrient Contents and Genetically Modified Foods
On March 30, 2022, Japan Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) unveiled the Notification No. 21, updating the requirements for nutrition labeling and genetically modified food labeling in Food Labeling Standards. As revealed by the notification, the determination methods of some nutrient contents were revised, such as lipid, fatty acid, and saccharides. In addition, genetically modified labeling is no longer required for soybeans with high oleic acid, but genetically modified mustard greens that has passed the safety review by Japan MHLW are still mandated to the labeling. (Read more)
CL interpretation The reason why soybeans with high oleic acid are exempted from genetically modified labeling lies in that this product can be produced by conventional breeding. In Japan, four types of food are obliged to genetically modified food labeling, including 1) nine target agricultural products; 2) processed food made from these nine target agricultural products; 3) Stearidonic-acid-produced recombinant soybean and high-lysine genetically modified corn; 4) Processed food made from substances mentioned in item 3. |
4. Thailand Legalizes the Use of Cannabis in Food
On the press conference held on June 8, 2022, Thailand Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) announced the legalization of planting hemp and using cannabis in food, which means that starting from June 9, 2022, planting, selling, importing, and consuming hemp and hemp products are legal in Thailand. However, extract substances whose THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) content over 0.2% are still listed as Narcotics and cannot be used in food. (Read more)
CL interpretation Thailand supports the development of hemp food industry and hope the cannabis legalization can facilitate the growth of local agricultural and tourism industries. Meanwhile, the competent authority is strengthening the supervision for cannabis food and hemp seeds. |
5. South Korea Revises Food Additive Code: MFDS Notification No. 2022-55
On August 10, 2022, MFDS issued the latest version of Food Additive Code, which modified the food additives for manufacturing health supplements, amino acids applicable for "milk formulas, etc.", and components of Steviol Glycoside. The regulation came into effect along with its issuance. Imported food shipped after August 10, 2022, shall comply with the new regulation. (Read more)
CL interpretation Hydroxypropylmethyl Cellulose Phthalate is added to serve as a coating agent, which means now enterprises have more choices of coating substances for manufacturing products disintegrated in intestine. For milk formulas, 11 kinds of Amino Acids, including L-Glutamine, L-Glutamic Acid, etc., are newly permitted. This modification is to keep the Korean Food Additive Code aligned with the international requirements in Codex. After the implementation of the new regulation, milk formulas added with amino acids listed in the Codex standard will no longer be subject to new registration with MFDS. |
6. EU Unveils New Regulation on Food Contact Recycled Plastics/Recycled Plastic FCMs
On September 20, 2022, European Union (EU) promulgated Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/1616, a new regulation on food contact recycled plastics/recycled plastic FCMs. It replaced the 2008 version and entered effect on October 10, 2022.
This new regulation sets up a totally different supervision system. From July 10, 2023, only recycled plastic materials manufactured with a suitable recycling technology or novel technology following Chapter IV of the new regulation can be placed on the market. The procedure of applying for novel recycling technologies may last for several years. In addition, collection and pre-processing of plastic inputs are now subject to stricter requirements. (Read more)
CL interpretation After the implementation of the new regulation, it will be more difficult for enterprises to obtain the registration approval of plastic in EU excluding PET. As the application may last for years, stakeholders are highly suggested to embark upon the registration issues as early as possible. |
7. Vietnam Proposes to Amend a Few Food Regulations
As revealed by WTO notification issued on July 28, 2022, Vietnam proposed to amend, supplement and repeal a number of food regulations issued by the Ministry of Health, involving the management and usage of food additives, functional food and maximum limit of contaminant in foods. Now the consultation period is ended.(Read more)
CL interpretation Food enterprises targeting at Vietnam market should pay attention to the regulatory changes as lots of details are involved in the recent updates. |
8. Five Food Categories Are Subject to Mandatory Foreign Manufacturer Registration for Exportation to India
On October 10, 2022, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued an order on foreign food manufacturer registration, making it mandatory for foreign food manufacturing facilities to register with FSSAI when exporting following five categories of foods to India: (1) Milk and milk products; (2) Meat and meat products, including poultry, fish and their products; (3) Egg powder; (4) Infant Food; (5) Nutraceuticals. (Read more)
CL interpretation For foreign businesses that intend to export food to India, this mandatory order is one of the most essential regulatory events of 2022. Manufacturers of five significant food categories are required to register with FSSAI, including dairy and infant food. Please pay attention that category list may be enlarged in the future. |
9. U.S. Unveils "Access to Baby Formula Act of 2022"
Due to the unexpected infant formula safety incident happened in 2022, the U.S. released the Access to Baby Formula Act of 2022 (H.R. 7791) (hereinafter the Act) on May 20, 2022, which aimed to ensure the demand of beneficiaries of WIC program (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) can be well satisfied in the infant formula shortage crisis. According to the Act, the vendors can use authorized supplemental foods as substitutes in case of supply chain disruptions, and the Act removed the medical documentation requirements relating to non-contractual brand infant formula issuance. (Read more)
CL interpretation The consumption of WIC participants accounts for approximately half of the overall infant formula market in U.S. Under normal circumstances, participants can only buy infant formula products that were signed contract if they want to enjoy WIC's benefits. However, the promulgation of this latest Act means the product that WIC participants can purchase will not be limited. Undoubtedly, it is a good opportunity for global infant formula enterprises. |
10. Indonesia Regulates Claims on Processed Food Labels and Advertisements
On January 4, 2022, Indonesia Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) enacted Regulation of the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency Number 1 of 2022 concerning Supervision of Claims on Processed Food Labels and Advertisements. This regulation specifies the claims for processed food in labeling and advertising, which applies to both Indonesian domestic and imported processed food. It includes the basic principles of using claims, as well as permitted and prohibited claim types. Besides, a claim must be proven with analysis from an accredited or government laboratory to ensure its authenticity and effectiveness. (Read more)
CL interpretation This regulation serves as a replacement of Indonesian previous regulations on food claims and signals a more stringent management on this field. Labels and advertisements are both significant carriers of product information, and using claims is an effective way to show the selling points to consumers. Meanwhile, false or illegal claims may cause a huge loss. Food enterprises need to ensure their food products comply with this latest regulation no later than July 4, 2024. |
Want to know comprehensive food regulation updates in the key countries worldwide? On Jan. 10, 2023, ChemLinked will hold Webinar A Look Back at 2022 with ChemLinked: Global Food Regulation Updates, providing an overview of revised and emerging food regulations worldwide over the year of 2022 and help you catch the key regulatory points. Click the picture below for registration now！
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