This article provides a comprehensive overview of key regulatory developments in the food sector in May 2025, 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.
Three New Food
On May 7, 2025, the China National Health Commission (NHC) released a notice approving 11 substances as Three New Foods, including tow new food ingredients, 6 new food additives and 3 food-related products. See previous report.
On May 9, 2025, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) issued a public consultation on two new food ingredients: Camelina Seed Oil and Elderberry Anthocyanins. The consultation is open until June 8, 2025. See previous report.
On May 14, 2025, China CFSA issued a public consultation on 10 new food additives. The consultation is open until June 13, 2025. See previous report.
In May 2025, China NHC announced the termination of technical review for two new food ingredients, effectively recognizing their compliance for use under existing frameworks:
N-Acetylneuraminic Acid: Deemed substantially equivalent to the N-Acetylneuraminic Acid previously approved as a new food ingredient in 2017. The ingredient shall be used in accordance with the specifications outlined in the original approval.
Jujube Leaves (later renamed as Zao Leaves): Approved for use as a food ingredient. Permitted applications include infusion (for brewing) and as a raw material in beverages.
Health Food
On May 12, 2025, the State Administration for Market Regulation(SAMR) of China issued a notice, reminding applicants on timely updating contact information for health food registration applicants. Applicants with changes in their contact information are required to submit an application in person or by mail to update the system records. Failure to do so may result in corresponding liabilities.
Special Food
On May 5, 2025, to address the nutritional needs of patients with liver disease and gastrointestinal absorption disorders, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) issued two clinical technical guidelines:
Clinical Technique Guidelines of Special Medical Purpose Full Nutrition Formulas- Liver Disease
Clinical Technique Guidelines of Special Medical Purpose Full Nutrition Formulas - Gastrointestinal Absorption Disorders
Food Standards
On May 1, 2025, two industry standards led by the China National Food Industry Association officially came into effect: QB/T 6500-2024 Coloring Food Ingredients for Food Industry and QB/T 6501-2024 Guidance on the Implementation of Social Responsibility for Food Industry. Notably, QB/T 6500-2024 introduces a major innovation by defining coloring food ingredients as naturally pigmented plant-based materials processed through physical methods without the use of synthetic colorants or solvents. The standard supports clean-label trends, preserves the natural qualities of raw materials, and aims to reduce the industry’s reliance on artificial colors.
On May 6, 2025, the China's Commission on Food Safety of the State Council and five other departments jointly issued a plan to tackle the misuse of food additives. The plan focuses on issues such as excessive and unauthorized use, strengthens oversight from production to import, and enforces stricter controls across the food supply chain—from farms to catering. It also targets illegal practices like using industrial chemicals as food additives.
On May 14, 2025, China's NHC released draft amendments for public comment, including Amendment No. 1 to the GB 31607-2021 National Food Safety Standard Pathogen Limit in Bulk Ready-to-eat Foods and 27 other national food safety standards and revisions. The consultation is open until June 14, 2025.
Import Food Access
On March 21, 2025, China Customs released the list of non-compliant imported food in April 2025. This month, a total of 325 batches of food products were returned or destroyed in China. See previous report.
United Nations
On April 29, 2025, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) released a report titled Food Safety in Personalized Nutrition: a Focus on Food Supplements and Functional Foods. provides a comprehensive overview of potential safety concerns associated with food supplements and functional foods. It examines regulatory frameworks across different regions, highlighting variations in classification, labelling, composition, registration and claims. The report also explores consumer perceptions of these products, analysing the motivations behind their use. As scientific understanding of food’s impact on human health advances, regulatory frameworks may need to adapt to address emerging innovations and safety challenges.
European Union
In May 2025, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published two scientific opinions related to novel foods.
yellow tomato extract: Noting that the main sources for PE/PF are commonly and regularly consumed also by the youngest age groups and that PE/PF exposure from the background diet does not raise safety concern, the Panel considers that the NF is nutritionally not disadvantageous at the proposed intake of the NF of up to 100 mg/day used in FS in adults. The Panel concludes that the NF, yellow tomato extract, is safe under the proposed conditions of use.
Clostridium butyricum TO‐A: The Panel concludes that the NF, C. butyricum TO‐A, is safe at 1.0 × 108 CFU/day for other children (3 to < 10 years), 2.0 × 108 CFU/day for adolescents from 10 to < 14 years, 2.8 × 108 CFU/day for adolescents from 14 to < 18 years and 3.2 × 108 CFU/day for adults, excluding pregnant and lactating women.
In May 2025, EFSA issued 10 scientific opinions related to food ingredients, primarily focusing on genetically modified food enzymes. Additionally, EFSA published five scientific opinions on feed additives, covering substances such as Duddingtonia flagrans NCIMB 30336 (BioWorma®) and l‐arginine produced with Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80393.
*Source: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/publications
United States
On May 9, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of three new natural color additives: Galdieria extract blue, Butterfly pea flower extract, and Calcium phosphate.
On May 13, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. FDA announced the next steps in Operation Stork Speed--a groundbreaking initiative to ensure the safety, reliability, and nutritional adequacy of infant formula for American families. The FDA issued a Request for Information (RFI) to begin the nutrient review process required by law for infant formula. Currently, infant formula must meet minimum and maximum levels of certain nutrients. While the FDA regularly reviews individual nutrient requirements for infant formula, this will be the first comprehensive review since 1998. As part of the initiative, the FDA will convene a publicly accessible expert panel in June.
Brazil
On May 14, 2025, Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) issued Normative Instruction No. 361/2025, updating the previous Instruction No. 28/2018. The revision mainly covers ingredients, usage limits, nutrition claims, and labeling requirements for dietary supplements.
Key updates include:
An updated list of allowed ingredients for supplements, with specific rules for infant (0–12 months) and toddler (1–3 years) products.
Minimum required levels for nutrients, bioactive substances, enzymes, and probiotics in supplements.
Maximum allowed levels for various ingredients to ensure product safety.
Approved nutrition claims and labeling requirements for supplements.
Additional labeling information requirements to enhance consumer awareness.
All dietary supplements registered before this instruction must update their labels within 24 months to comply with the new rules. This revision aims to strengthen supplement regulation, ensure product safety and consumer information, and promote market transparency and fair competition.
Thailand
On May 2, 2025, Thailand releases Ministry of Public Health Announcement (No. 456) B.E. 2568, updating labeling requirements for seven categories of processed foods. The new regulation took effect on May 3, 2025, with a transitional period allowing the continued use of existing labels for up to two years.
On May 2, 2025, Thailand issued Ministry of Public Health Announcement (No. 457) B.E. 2568, which took effect on May 3, 2025. The regulation prohibits the production, import, and sale of certain foods, including ready-to-eat jelly and jelly desserts containing glucomannan or konjac flour that are packaged in small cups (konjac mini-cup jelly) or similar forms with a maximum diameter or cross-section of 4.5 centimeters.
Vietnam
On May 14, 2025, Vietnam's Department of Food Safety issued three decisions canceling the registration certificates of 31 functional foods (classified as category one health supplements) across four product types. The authority explained that the cancellations were based on voluntary withdrawal and deregistration requests submitted by the registrants and were “unrelated to product quality.”
Japan
On May 26, 2025, Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency announced an update to Appendix 1 of the Specifications and Standards for Food Additives (10th Edition). The update removed six additive preparations:
FA004900 亚硫酸水素カリウム液 (Potassium Bisulfite Solution)
FA005000 亜硫酸水素ナトリウム液 (Sodium Bisulfite Solution)
FA024500 酢酸 (Acetic Acid)
FA034600 水溶性アセトール (Water-soluble Acetone)
FA036100 D - ソルビトール液 (D-Sorbitol Solution)
FA049400 ビロン酸第二鉄液 (Ferrous Fumarate Solution)
India
On May 28, 2025, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued a notice advising all food business operators (FBOs) to cease using the term "100%" on food labels, packaging, and promotional materials. The warning stems from concerns that the ambiguous and misleading nature of “100%” may cause consumers to mistakenly believe the product possesses absolute purity or superiority, or that competing products fail to meet standards.
*This article is compiled by ZMUni Compliance Center, based on the latest regulatory updates from food-related regulatory authorities/agencies in various countries/regions.
