Top 10 Global Food Regulation Highlights in 2025

The year 2025 marked a pivotal period for global food regulation with major markets introducing far-reaching reforms across food labeling, ingredient management, import supervision, etc. As the year 2025 concluded, ChemLinked has summarized the top ten most significant regulatory developments across key markets to help global stakeholders better understand emerging trends, assess compliance impacts, and navigate an evolving regulatory landscape.

China Updates Overseas Manufacturer Registration Policy

On October 14, 2025, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) promulgated the latest version of Regulations on the Registration and Administration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food, which will take effect on June 1, 2026.

The Regulations introduces a new registration pathway—"list registration"—applicable to countries whose food safety management systems are recognized by GACC and have signed relevant cooperation agreements with China. In addition, the current "Recommended Registration" and "Self-Registration" will be unified into a single process where all applications are submitted directly by enterprises. But food products subject to recommended registration must still obtain inspection reports and recommendation letters from the competent authorities before registration. The Regulation also introduces automatic registration renewal and supplements conditions for registration revocation.

Read more about the updates.

ChemLinked Interpretation

The Regulations reflects China's move toward a more mature, risk-differentiated oversight framework for imported food. The introduction of list registration highlights the growing role of bilateral cooperation in food safety governance, and automatic renewal is expected to significantly reduce administrative burdens for low- and medium-risk food manufacturers.

China Releases GB 7718-2025 General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods

On March 27, 2025, China National Health Commission (NHC) released the GB 7718-2025 General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods, alongside the Administrative Measures for Supervision of Food Labeling. Both regulations will take effect on March 16, 2027.

Key amendments in the GB 7718-2025 include

• Certain labeling requirements removed from GB 7718 to the Administrative Measures

• Mandatory allergen labeling

• Revised definition of prepackaged food

• Updated ingredient declaration rules, including microbial strain labeling and stricter requirements for emphasized ingredients

• Introduction of voluntary digital labeling

• Separate and detailed labeling rules for imported foods

• Revised date marking requirements

• Conditional exemption of production date labeling for wines and alcoholic beverages

Read more about the GB 7718-2025, its Q&A document, and the Administrative Measure.

ChemLinked Interpretation

With a two-year transition period, companies should conduct a comprehensive gap analysis across their product portfolios, particularly focusing on allergen declarations and revised ingredient labeling rules. Imported food operators should also reassess labeling strategies in light of the more detailed requirements.

China Promulgates GB 28050-2025 National Food Safety Standard General Rules for Nutrition Labeling of Prepackaged Foods

On March 27, 2025, China National Health Commission (NHC) unveiled the GB 28050-2025 National Food Safety Standard General Rules for Nutrition Labeling of Prepackaged Foods, effective March 16, 2027.

Key updates include:

• New mandatory labeling items, including saturated fat, sugar, and a children/adolescents related warning

• Revised and expanded content claims, comparative claims, and nutrient effect claims

• Updated technical indicators including nutrient reference values, "zero" thresholds, and tolerance ranges

• Recommended serving sizes for 18 food categories

• Clarified nutrient definitions and calculation methods

• Two additional nutrition facts label formats

Read more about the GB 28050-2025 and its Q&A documents

ChemLinked Interpretation

GB 28050-2025 significantly strengthens China's nutrition labeling framework by expanding mandatory disclosures, refining claim management, and standardizing technical parameters. Together with GB 7718-2025, the revised standards represent a comprehensive overhaul of China's food labeling system. Enterprises are advised to immediately audit current labeling against the revised standards, and strategically phase out existing packaging stock to ensure a seamless transition by March 2027.

Japan Revises Food Labeling Standards: Updates to Additive Labeling, Nutrient Reference Values, and FFC Notifications

On March 28, 2025, Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) announced a comprehensive revision to the Food Labeling Standards.

Key amendments include

• Removal of labeling exemption for nutritional fortification additives

• Updated nutrient reference values and revised criteria for nutrient content claims

• Revised tolerance ranges and zero thresholds for dietary fiber

• New measurement and calculation methods for vitamin B group

• Standardized provisions for foods with function claims, clarifying the notification procedures, compliance requirements, and reporting methods

Read more about the updates.

ChemLinked Interpretation

By removing exemptions for nutritional fortification additives and refining nutrient reference values, claim thresholds, and analytical methods, Japan is strengthening the scientific basis and credibility of nutrition labeling. The standardized FFC notification framework also indicates closer regulatory oversight of functional claims throughout the product lifecycle.

Singapore Updates Labeling Requirements for Prepacked Foods

On February 6, 2025, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) issued the Food (Amendment) Regulations 2025, which introduced significant updates to labeling requirements for prepackaged foods. The Regulations will come into force on January 30, 2026

Key labeling updates cover

• Statement of ingredients (heading, ingredient declaration manner, added water, carried over food additives, processing aids)

• Allergens labeling

• Country of origin

• Lot identification number

• Directions on use of the food

• Gluten-free and reduced gluten food claims

Read more about the updates.

ChemLinked Interpretation

These amendments represent Singapore's significant step toward harmonizing local standards with international practices, which aim to improve transparency and consumer understanding. Stakeholders may also refer to the updated A Guide to Food Labelling and Advertisements (2025) for practical implementation guidance.

Indonesia Releases Changes in Food Classification, Definition & Raw Materials

On February 3, 2025, Indonesia food and drug authority (BPOM) released Decree No. 70 of 2025 on Changes in Food Categories and Raw Materials Derived from Plants or Animals. The decree took effect immediately, with a 30-month grace period.

The decree introduces significant updates for food categories and raw materials.

• Addition, modification, and deletion of specific food categories, affecting more than 10 food categories including flavored skimmed milk, flavored milk powder, and formulated caffeinated beverages, etc.

• Introduction of newly added and modified materials, impacting over 30 raw materials including bearberry, caffeine, coffee, etc.

Read more about the updates.

ChemLinked Interpretation

Stakeholders must check not only their final product classification but also the regulatory status of each individual raw material under the new decree. During the transition period, stakeholders are strongly suggested to assess whether reformulation, dossier updates, or category reassessment is needed to maintain continued compliance in Indonesia.

Thailand Modernizes Food Additive Regulations with New MOPH Notification (No. 468)

On December 12, 2025, Thailand Food and Drug Administration unveiled the MOPH Notification No. 468 Regarding Prescribing the Principle, Conditions, Methods and Proportion of Food Additives (No. 4), effective immediately with a two-year grace period for products already on the market.

Key updates include:

• Introduction, reclassification, and withdrawal of additives based on JECFA reviews

• Lowered maximum use levels for certain colors and sweeteners

• Expanded permissions and new authorizations aligned with Codex technological justifications and industry requests

• Withdrawal of specific authorizations due to lacking Codex support or sufficient data

• Administrative and technical updates including INS and function updates, clarified food category descriptions, and combined use of colors

Read more about the updates.

ChemLinked Interpretation

By harmonizing with Codex standards, Thailand aims to facilitate international trade while maintaining high domestic food safety standards. The scope and depth of the changes require stakeholders to conduct careful review of product formulations and labels to ensure a smooth transition.

India Amends Food Product and Additive Regulations, Involving Food Additives, Food Colors and Processing Aids

On July 18, 2025, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) notified the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) First Amendment Regulations, 2025, effective February 1, 2026.

Key highlights include:

• Expanded usage of steviol glycosides in beverage category 14.1.5

• Expanded list of permitted processing aids and enzymes

• Revised requirements for food colors widely used in packaged foods, confectionery, and beverages

• Updated refractive index for Palm-Based Oils

• New standards for meat sausages

• Standardized dehydrated Tarragon

• Revised packaged drinking water requirements

Read more about the updates.

ChemLinked Interpretation

Particular attention should be paid to beverage sweeteners, food colors, and newly permitted processing aids. Besides, companies operating in food categories such as palm-based oils, meat sausages, and packaged drinking water may need to assess technical documentation and quality control requirements to ensure uninterrupted market access in India.

U.S. Proposes to End Self-affirmed "Generally Recognized As Safe" Pathway

On March 10, 2025, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services directed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to explore rulemaking to eliminate the self-affirmed "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS) pathway. The FDA initially planned to publish the proposed rule in October 2025, but the timeline has been delayed. The proposed change would mandate companies to notify the FDA with safety data before introducing new food ingredients to the market.

Read more about the updates.

ChemLinked Interpretation

The intended elimination of the 'Self-Affirmed GRAS' pathway signals a significant shift in the U.S. food compliance landscape. While it aims to enhance transparency and consumer safety, the proposal could introduce challenges for businesses in the short term, including higher regulatory obligations, increased compliance costs, and potential market entry delays due to administrative backlogs. To prepare, companies should proactively review their ingredient compliance and regulatory strategies, and stay updated on evolving regulatory expectations.

Vietnam Re-consults on Food Safety Law and Its Implementation Rules

In 2025, Vietnam reopened public consultation on the Food Safety Law twice and its implementing rules four times.

The drafts introduce a risk-based system under which high-risk foods must apply for circulation registration, while medium- and low-risk foods are subject to declaration of applicable standards. Additional categories are proposed to be classified as high risk, and medium- and low-risk foods. High-risk foods would also face stricter production controls, expanding beyond the current GMP requirement for health supplements to include certifications requirements for other high-risk foods. Import controls would be tightened, including 100% document checks under reduced inspection and full parameter sample testing under tightened inspection.

Read more about updates on the draft Law and its rules.

ChemLinked Interpretation

These legislative amendments will impose a substantial impact on Vietnam's food industry through enhanced safety controls governing high-risk substances, production processes, administrative approvals and import food inspection. Under the new drafts, food enterprises will assume more legal responsibilities, such as the mandatory obligation to renew or update product declarations and circulation registrations on a five-year periodic basis.

Recommended resource

#Webinar

2025 in Review & 2026 Ahead: Key Food Regulations in Greater China, Japan & KoreaThe global food industry saw notable regulatory developments in 2025, with changes impacting product compliance across multiple regions. In China, landmark standards, GB 7718-2025 and GB 28050-2025, were released, bringing comprehensive updates to general labeling rules and nutrition labeling requirements for prepackaged foods. In Japan, authorities updated the Food Labeling Standards with new rules on additive labeling, nutrient reference values, and requirements for Functional Claims (FFC) notifications. In South Korea, regulators amended the Food Labeling Standard to expand the scope of foods requiring nutrition labeling.The constantly evolving regulatory landscape makes it essential for global food stakeholders to closely monitor compliance requirements. To support this need, ChemLinked has prepared this webinar to provide an overview of revised and emerging food regulations across key markets in China, Japan and South Korea in 2025, while also offering guidance on anticipated developments in 2026, helping industry stakeholders address regulatory complexity and make informed strategic decisions.Stakeholders who are interested in regulatory updates in the EU, North America, Oceania & Southeast Asia, please join another session by clicking the link below.SessionTopicWebinar DateWebinar fee12025 in Review & 2026 Ahead: Key Food Regulations in EU, North America, Oceania & Southeast AsiaJanuary 21, 2026FreeNotes:It's free for all registrants to join our live streaming webinar.Please feel free to send us questions before, during or after the webinar;The presentation slides and recording video will be uploaded to this webpage after the webinar;The post-webinar materials are only available for ChemLinked premium members.

#Webinar

2025 in Review & 2026 Ahead: Key Food Regulations in EU, North America, Oceania & Southeast AsiaThe global food industry saw notable regulatory developments in 2025, with changes impacting product compliance across multiple regions. In Southeast Asia, Vietnam proposes new amendment to Food Safety Law and its implementation rules (Decree 15/2018). Thailand issues multiple updates regarding ingredients, covering vitamins, minerals, extraction solves, etc. Singapore changes labeling requirements for prepackaged foods. Among the EU, North America, and Oceania, U.S. FDA reverses stance, confirming NMN Lawful in Dietary Supplements. The US also witnessed updates on color additive and labeling in 2025.The constantly evolving regulatory landscape makes it essential for global food stakeholders to closely monitor compliance requirements. To support this need, ChemLinked has prepared this webinar to provide an overview of revised and emerging food regulations across key markets in the EU, North America, Oceania & Southeast Asia in 2025, while also offering guidance on anticipated developments in 2026, helping industry stakeholders address regulatory complexity and make informed strategic decisions. Stakeholders who are interested in regulatory updates in China, Japan and South Korea, please join another session by clicking the link below.SessionTopicWebinar DateWebinar fee12025 in Review & 2026 Ahead: Key Food Regulations in Greater China, Japan & KoreaJanuary 20, 2026FreeNotes:It's free for all registrants to join our live streaming webinar.Please feel free to send us questions before, during or after the webinar;The presentation slides and recording video will be uploaded to this webpage after the webinar;The post-webinar materials are only available for ChemLinked premium members.

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