导航菜单
This article provides a comprehensive overview of key regulatory developments in the food sector in September 2026, both in China and internationally. It focuses on updates related to new food ingredients, food additives, health foods, and feed, aiming to offer timely and in-depth regulatory alerts for enterprises engaged in food import and export.
🔘 Hong Kong Proposes Amendments to Sweeteners in Food Regulations
On September 4, 2026, Hong Kong launched a public consultation on proposed amendments to the Sweeteners in Food Regulations (Cap. 132U). Key proposals include extending regulatory coverage to sugar alcohols, expanding the list of permitted sweeteners, and setting maximum permitted levels for certain sweeteners in specific food categories. The consultation is open until December 4, 2026.
Source: Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety
🔘 China Opens Consultation on Seven New Food Additives
On September 10, 2026, China National Center for Food Safety Assessment (CFSA) issued a public consultation on 7 new varieties of food additives, including 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL) , 6'-Sialyllactosesodiumsalt (6'-SL), 1-（tert-butyl）-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxamide, Curdlan Gum, Sanzan Gum, and Lycopene (Fermentation Method).
Source: CFSA
🔘 China's Non-compliant Food Imports in August 2026
On September 20, 2026, China's General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) released information on food products denied entry at Chinese ports in August 2026. According to the data, 755 batches of food products that failed to meet safety, hygiene, or other relevant requirements and were therefore denied entry, representing an approximately 55% month-on-month increase from 487 batches in July 2026, an increase of 268 batches. The figure also increased by approximately 22% year-on-year, compared with 617 batches during the same period last year. Read more here.
🔘 China SAMR Clarified Labelling Requirements for Infant Formula Products
On September 20, 2026, China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) published a Q&A clarifying labelling requirements for infant formula products, including powdered and liquid formulas.
The guidance covers production and expiry date labelling, allergen declarations, milk source claims, and manufacturer information. It also clarifies that certain label updates do not require changes to product formula registration, but revised labels must be filed with provincial market regulators.
Products manufactured before the implementation of the new Food Labelling Supervision and Administration Measures may continue to be sold until their expiry dates, provided their labels do not violate prohibitive provisions.
Source: China SAMR
🔘 China Releases 50 National Food Safety Standards and Amendment Sheets
On September 22, 2026, China's National Health Commission (NHC) and the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) announced the release of 50 national food safety standards and amendment sheets. The package includes 30 food safety standards covering food ingredients, food additives, contaminant control, analytical methods, and special dietary foods, as well as 20 amendment sheets to existing food safety standards. Read more here.
🔘 Thailand Updated List of Food Ingredients That Passed Safety Assessments
In September 2026, Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) updated its list of food ingredients that have passed safety assessments, covering both novel foods and foods not classified as novel foods.
Source: Thai FDA
🔘 Australia and New Zealand Amended Food Standards for Infant Formula Ingredients and Cadmium Limits
On September 1, 2026, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) published Amendment No. 252 to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. The amendments cover the exclusion of certain Northern Territory oysters from existing cadmium limits and the approval of several human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) produced using genetically modified microorganisms for use in infant formula products.
FSANZ also announced two new applications involving mannanase and glucoamylase as food processing aids, with public consultations to follow.
Source: FSANZ
🔘 Australia and New Zealand Opened Consultation on Steviol Glycosides and Accepted New Novel Food Application
On September 29, 2026, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) published Notification Circular 413-26, inviting public comments on a proposal to permit steviol glycosides as a food additive in hot plate flour products, including pancakes and crumpets. The consultation closes on November 11, 2026.
FSANZ also accepted a new application for Rhiza mycelium (Neurospora crassa) biomass as a novel food, with a public consultation to follow.
Source: FSANZ
🔘 New Zealand Introduced Updated Composition and Labelling Requirements for Infant Formula
On September 23, 2026, New Zealand Food Safety published the New Zealand Infant Formula Products Standard 2026, introducing updated composition and labelling requirements for infant formula products manufactured in or imported into New Zealand.
Key changes cover nutritional composition, food additives, contaminant limits, nutrition labelling, product differentiation, and restrictions on proxy advertising.
The new requirements took effect on September 25, 2026, with a transition period ending on September 13, 2029.
Source: New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
🔘 New Zealand Proposed Regulatory Changes to Ease Dietary Supplement Exports
On September 23, 2026, the New Zealand government announced proposed changes to dietary supplement regulations to simplify export requirements. Under the proposals, exporters would only need to comply with the importing country's labelling and composition requirements, rather than meeting both New Zealand and overseas standards.
The changes would also allow therapeutic claims permitted in destination markets and provide exemptions from certain domestic restrictions on food additives and vitamin and mineral dosages. Products benefiting from these exemptions could not be sold in New Zealand. The revised regulations are being drafted and remain subject to government approval.
Source: New Zealand Government
🔘 Canada Approved Rhiza Mycoprotein as a Novel Food
On September 14, 2026, Health Canada published its safety assessment of Rhiza Mycoprotein, a non-viable fungal biomass derived from the non-genetically modified Neurospora crassa strain BSTR26.
Developed by The Better Meat Co., the ingredient contains approximately 45% protein and 30% dietary fiber and is intended for use as an alternative protein and fiber source in meat, poultry, seafood, meat alternatives, and dairy alternatives.
Following a comprehensive safety assessment, Health Canada concluded that the proposed food uses raised no safety concerns and issued a letter of no objection.
Source: Health Canada
🔘 U.S. FDA Released 2026 Food Code
On September 17, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released the 2026 edition of the FDA Food Code, providing updated food safety guidance for retail and food service establishments.
Key updates include new requirements for written employee illness policies, alternative food cooling methods, and clarifications on allergen cross-contact, food donations, and food handling practices. The Food Code serves as a voluntary model for state and local food safety regulations.
Source: U.S. FDA
🔘 Brazil Updated Authorized Ingredients and Labelling Requirements for Food Supplements
On September 18, 2026, Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) published Normative Instruction No. 470/2026, amending IN No. 28/2018 on food supplements.
The regulation expands the list of authorized ingredients, including krill oil, L-cystine, corn leaf extract standardized for 6-MBOA, eggshell membrane hydrolysate, squalene, and bioactive collagen peptides. It also updates minimum and maximum use levels, introduces authorized health claims for creatine, 6-MBOA, and collagen peptides, and establishes additional labelling warnings for certain ingredients.
The regulation took effect on September 18, 2026.
Source: ANVISA
🔘 U.S. FDA Authorized Vitamin D2 Inactive Bakers Yeast for Use in Food
On September 25, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended its food additive regulations (21 CFR 172.383) to permit the use of vitamin D2 inactive bakers yeast as a source of vitamin D2 in specified food categories.
The amendment took effect on September 25, 2026, with objections accepted until October 26, 2026.
Source: U.S. FDA
🔘 UK Published Consultation Results on CBD Novel Food Authorisation
On September 3, 2026, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) published a summary of stakeholder responses to its consultation on the proposed authorisation of three cannabidiol (CBD) products as novel foods.
Of the 46 responses received, 68% supported the proposed authorisations, although concerns were raised about the proposed maximum CBD intake of 10 mg/day, labelling requirements, consumer safety warnings, and transitional arrangements.
The FSA will consider the feedback when preparing its recommendations to ministers. No final authorisation decisions have been made.
Source: UK Food Standards Agency (FSA)
🔘 EFSA Confirmed Safety of Aspartame-Acesulfame Salt (E 962) at Current Exposure Levels
On September 10, 2026, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) completed its re-evaluation of aspartame-acesulfame salt (E 962), concluding that its current uses and exposure levels raise no safety concerns.
EFSA reaffirmed the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 40 mg/kg body weight for aspartame (E 951) and 15 mg/kg for acesulfame K (E 950). It also recommended updating EU specifications for E 962 and reviewing arsenic and lead limits for E 951.
Source: EFSA
🔘 UK Opened Consultation on Authorization of 16 Regulated Food Products
On September 21, 2026, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) launched a public consultation on the proposed authorization of 16 regulated food products. The applications primarily involve human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), including 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL), 3'-sialyllactose (3'-SL), and lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), as well as astaxanthin-rich oleoresin and DHA/EPA-rich Schizochytrium oil.
The proposals cover new authorizations and modifications to existing conditions of use or specifications. The consultation closes on November 16, 2026.
Source: UK Food Standards Agency (FSA)
🔘 EU Authorized Genetically Modified Soybean GMB151 × DAS-44406-6 for Food and Feed Uses
On September 25, 2026, the European Commission published Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2112, authorizing the placing on the EU market of products containing, consisting of, or produced from genetically modified soybean GMB151 × DAS-44406-6.
The authorization covers food, food ingredients, feed, and certain other uses, but excludes cultivation in the EU.
Source: European Commission
*This article is compiled by ZMUni Compliance Center, based on the latest regulatory updates from food-related regulatory authorities/agencies in various countries/regions.
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