导航菜单
This article provides a comprehensive overview of key regulatory developments in the food sector in February 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.
🔘 China Three New Foods Updates in February
|
Issue Date |
Type |
Category |
Substance |
|
February 5, 2026 |
Approval Notice |
Three New Foods |
|
|
February 11, 2026 |
Public Consultation |
New Food Ingredient |
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CP-9 |
|
February 14, 2026 |
Public Consultation |
New Varieties of Food Additives |
|
🔘 China Prohibits Third-Party KOLs from Promoting Health Foods via Livestreams
On February 1, 2026, China's Administrative Measures for the Supervision of Live-Streaming E-commerce officially came into effect. Article 35 of the Measures clarifies for the first time that in online livestream marketing activities, natural persons with a certain level of social influence—including internet influencers, online creators, and celebrities—who recommend or endorse products or services are deemed to be engaging in commercial advertising and must comply with the requirements of China's Advertising Law.
This means that such individuals are prohibited from promoting health food products through livestream sales, or through related promotional formats such as edited livestream clips, short videos, or graphic posts derived from livestream content.
Source: https://www.cac.gov.cn/2026-01/07/c_1769516655383334.htm
🔘 China Issues New Regulations on Food Safety Oversight for Food Delivery Services and Online Food Sales
On February 26, 2026, China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) held a food safety press conference announcing two new regulatory measures. The rules target long-standing issues in the online food sector, including insufficient transparency in food delivery services, "ghost kitchens," difficulties in assigning liability in online consumption disputes, and misleading marketing practices. They introduce a series of targeted measures to strengthen oversight and improve accountability for food safety in food delivery and online food sales.
Source: https://www.samr.gov.cn/hd/zxft/art/2026/art_24e3b6f6710147aebd6cb490ef75bfb5.html
🔘 China's Non-compliant Food Imports in December 2025
On February 2, 2026, China's General Administration of Customs (GACC) released its list of non-compliant imported food products for December 2025. A total of 406 batches from 40 countries and regions were denied entry, representing a month-on-month decrease of approximately 9% (down 38 batches from 444 in November) and a year-on-year decline of about 12% (down 54 batches from 460 in the same period last year). See detailed analysis.
🔘 EU Tightens Import Controls on Arachidonic Acid Oil (ARA) from China Used in Infant Formula
On February 24, 2026, the European Commission adopted a regulation imposing stricter import controls on ARA oil from China used in infant formula, effective February 26, 2026. Each consignment must include an official certificate and laboratory analysis confirming the absence of cereulide, and 50% of consignments will be subject to border checks. The measure follows RASFF alerts since December 2025 related to cereulide contamination.
Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1772025833326&uri=CELEX%3A32026R0459
🔘 EU Updates Conditions of Use and Labelling Requirements for Pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila
On February 23, 2026, the European Commission adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/391, amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470, which establishes the Union list of authorised novel foods.
The amendment updates the conditions of use and specific labelling requirements for the novel food pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila. According to the regulation, the ingredient is authorised for use in food supplements, with specified maximum daily intake levels, and must include specific labelling statements identifying the ingredient and indicating the target population restrictions.
The regulation was published in the Official Journal on 24 February 2026 and will enter into force on 16 March 2026.
Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202600391
🔘 EU Authorises Defatted Rapeseed Powder as a Novel Food
On February 20, 2026, the European Commission adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/386, authorising defatted rapeseed powder to be placed on the EU market as a novel food and adding it to the Union list of authorised novel foods.
The ingredient may be used in various foods for the general population, as well as in food supplements and foods for special medical purposes for individuals aged 10 and above, subject to specified conditions and a maximum daily intake of 10 g in supplements.
The authorisation is granted to NapiFeryn BioTech Sp. z o.o., with specific labelling requirements and allergen warnings, and will apply from 15 March 2026.
Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202600386
🔘 EFSA Sets Provisional Safe Intake Level for CBD as a Novel Food
On 9 February 2026, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) established a provisional safe intake level for cannabidiol (CBD) as a novel food.
EFSA's NDA Panel set the level at 0.0275 mg/kg body weight per day (around 2 mg/day for a 70-kg adult) for high-purity CBD used in food supplements. EFSA also noted that significant data gaps remain, and further safety assessments are ongoing.
Source: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/news/provisional-safe-level-cannabidiol-novel-food
🔘 EFSA Publishes 10 Scientific Opinions on Feed Additives
In February 2026, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published 10 scientific opinions related to feed additives, including safety assessments for five new additives.
The evaluated substances include L-isoleucine produced by Corynebacterium glutamicum CCTCC M 2022764, narasin (Monteban® G100), diclazuril (Clinacox® 0.5%), zinc-lysinate sulfate, and molybdenum in the form of an EDTA chelate, intended for use in various animal species such as poultry, livestock, and pollinators.
Source: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/search
🔘 FDA Updates "No Artificial Colors" Claim Policy and Expands Natural Color Options
On February 5, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a new approach to "no artificial colors" labeling claims. Under the updated policy, foods that do not contain petroleum-based synthetic color additives may use the claim, even if naturally derived color additives are present, with FDA exercising enforcement discretion for such voluntary labeling.
At the same time, FDA approved beetroot red as a new color additive and expanded the permitted uses of spirulina extract, supporting the transition of the U.S. food supply from petroleum-based synthetic colors to natural alternatives.
The agency stated that these measures aim to reduce consumer confusion, encourage reformulation toward natural colors, and maintain safety and purity standards for color additives.
🔘 U.S. Lawmaker Introduces GRAS Oversight and Transparency Act
On February 3, 2026, U.S. Representative Mike Lawler introduced the GRAS Oversight and Transparency Act, aiming to strengthen federal oversight of food ingredients designated as "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS).
The bill targets GRAS determinations made before 2000 that were not submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It proposes establishing an interagency GRAS Review Board, led by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and FDA, with participation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to conduct scientific reviews of these legacy safety determinations.
The proposal aims to restore federal oversight, ensure older GRAS determinations meet modern scientific standards, and strengthen consumer confidence in the food safety system.
Source: https://lawler.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5423
🔘 Canada Updates Common Names for Ingredients and Components; Transition Period for Dairy Ingredient Labelling until 2030
On February 11, 2026, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) updated the "Common Names for Ingredients and Components" document incorporated by reference into the Food and Drug Regulations.
The revision clarifies the naming of milk ingredients and modified milk ingredients, including replacing the term "modified milk ingredients" with "milk-derived ingredients."
A transition period until January 1, 2030 has been provided for businesses to update labels using the revised terminology for dairy ingredients.
🔘 Canada Approves Silicon Dioxide for Use in Modified Sugar
On February 4, 2026, Health Canada issued Notice of Modification MFAA-2601, amending the List of Permitted Food Additives with Other Accepted Uses to allow silicon dioxide to be used in modified sugar to improve dissolution, with a maximum level of 2,000 ppm. The amendment took effect immediately upon publication.
Because Canadian standards for sugar do not allow additives, sugar containing silicon dioxide is classified as non-standardized "modified sugar." Health Canada completed a pre-market safety assessment before approving the new use.
🔘 Brazil Releases 2026–2027 Regulatory Agenda with Focus on Food Labelling and Emerging Categories
In February 2026, Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) released its 2026–2027 Regulatory Agenda, outlining 161 priority regulatory topics, including 38 new initiatives and 26 periodic updates.
For the food sector, the agenda highlights 35 topics, focusing on quantitative ingredient declarations on packaged food labels, updates to the novel food framework and authorized ingredient lists, development of specific regulations for plant-based foods, revisions to rules for foods for special medical purposes and infant formula, and periodic reviews of food additives and plant ingredient lists.
The agenda serves as a two-year regulatory roadmap, helping stakeholders anticipate upcoming regulatory changes and prepare compliance strategies in Brazil.
Source: https://www.gov.br/anvisa/pt-br/assuntos/regulamentacao/agenda-regulatoria/2026-2027
🔘 Thailand Eases Sales Restrictions on Low-Risk Herbal Products
On February 3, 2026, the Thai Food and Drug Administration officially implemented the Ministry of Public Health Notification on the Criteria, Methods, and Conditions for General Sale Herbal Products B.E. 2569 (2026).
The updated regulation introduces a risk-based framework for herbal product sales. Low-risk herbal health products and herbal cosmetics that pass evidence-based safety assessments are now permitted to be distributed through broader retail channels, including modern trade outlets, convenience stores, and online platforms.
Previously, only products within specific approved efficacy categories were eligible for wider circulation. The new rules remove these limitations and allow qualified products with newly recognized health attributes to enter general sales channels. The reform is expected to reduce time-to-market and compliance costs while supporting the sustainable growth of Thailand's herbal industry.
Source: https://herbal.fda.moph.go.th/law-herbal/herbal3-62
🔘 Indonesia Proposes Mandatory Regulation on "Non-Halal" Labeling Across Consumer Products
On 12 February 2026, Indonesia notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a draft technical regulation (G/TBT/N/IDN/184) proposing standardized requirements for "non-halal" labeling in the Indonesian market. The draft would require products containing non-halal ingredients — including food, cosmetics, medicinal products, genetically modified products, and other consumer goods — to declare such status using a prescribed official labeling format. The proposal applies to all relevant products placed on the Indonesian market and provides a three-year transition period for existing labels to be brought into compliance. The draft is currently under public consultation, with comments due by 14 March 2026.
Source: https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/TBT/IDN/26_00888_00_x.pdf
*This article is compiled by ZMUni Compliance Center, based on the latest regulatory updates from food-related regulatory authorities/agencies in various countries/regions.
