This article provides a comprehensive overview of key regulatory developments in the food sector in June 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.
Regulations & Standards
In June 2025, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress released the Draft Amendment to the Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China for public consultation. Enterprises are encouraged to submit their feedback via the official NPC website (www.npc.gov.cn) or the National Database of Laws and Regulations(flk.npc.gov.cn). Special attention should be paid to the regulatory requirements and compliance changes introduced in the revised provisions.
On June 10, 2025, China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), in collaboration with the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), released the draft Administrative Measures for Supervision of Live-Stream E-commerce for public comment. The proposed regulation aims to further standardize market order, protect the legitimate rights and interests of all stakeholders, and promote the healthy development of the live-stream e-commerce sector. Comments are welcomed until July 10, 2025. See previous report.
On June 10, 2025, China State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) issued a notice on Cracking Down on the Illegal Addition of Bisacodyl and Its Derivatives in Food Products. The notice specifies the testing methods for detecting illegally added bisacodyl, providing a technical basis for law enforcement.
On June 11, 2025, the Standardization Administration of China (SAC) issued a notice soliciting public comments on eight proposed national recommended standards, including the Terminology for Pastries. The draft standards cover areas such as food classification and technical requirements. Relevant enterprises are encouraged to provide feedback based on practical application.
On June 25, 2025, China SAMR and the National Health Commission (NHC) jointly issued an announcement listing sildenafil-like and tadalafil-like substances in the List of Non-Edible Substances That May Be Illegally Added to Food.
GACC Updates
On June 19, 2025, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) released the list of non-compliant imported food in May 2025. A total of 428 batches of non-compliant imported food were detected at ports across the country in May, due to issues related to safety and hygiene, labeling, and food additives. This represents a 32% increase compared to the previous month and a 24% increase year-on-year. See previous report.
On June 29, 2025, GACC issued the Announcement on the Conditional Resumption of Aquatic Product Imports from Certain Regions of Japan (Announcement No. 140 of 2025). According to the announcement, China has conditionally resumed the import of aquatic products from selected regions of Japan, excluding 10 prefectures including Fukushima. Relevant importers are advised to closely follow the specific list of approved regions and the corresponding conditions to ensure regulatory compliance.
European Union
EFSA Scientific Opinions Released
Two Scientific Opinions Related to Novel Foods:
D-Allulose: The applicant did not reply to EFSA's request to provide the required additional data concerned the identity, the production process, proposed uses and use levels, genotoxicity and human data of the NF. Thus the safety of the NF, i.e. D-allulose, cannot be established.
Grain and flour from perennial intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium): EFSA stated that the safety of this product could not be confirmed due to several concerns, including high risks of microbial contamination (elevated counts of total aerobic microorganisms, Enterobacteriaceae, yeasts, and molds), potential presence of pathogenic bacteria (Pantoea agglomerans), insufficient stability data, and potential risks for individuals with allergies or celiac disease.
Eleven Scientific Opinions Related to Food Ingredients:
These mainly concern food enzymes. Notably, a revised use condition was proposed for the food additive sorbitan monostearate (E 491) in an asparaginase enzyme preparation. The expert panel concluded that the revised conditions would have a minimal impact on overall dietary exposure to glycerol from currently permitted uses and reported use levels of glycerol esters (E 491–495), and would not raise safety concerns.
Ten Scientific Opinions Related to Feed Additives:
These include:
The renewal assessment of feed additives for all animal species (potassium iodide (3b201) and calcium iodate anhydrous (3b202) ), submitted by AJAY EUROPE SARL.
The efficacy of a feed additive containing ponceau 4R in feed for freshwater fish, submitted by GIFAP.
The safety of a feed additive containing xanthan gum for all animal species except cats and aquatic species, submitted by BIOPOLYMER International.
......
Source: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/search
On June 4, 2025, the European Commission published Regulation (EU) 2025/1112, amending Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council. The amendment adds Naringenin and 2-methyl-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)butan-1-one (CAS No. 2413115-68-9) to the EU list of flavouring substances.
In June 2025, the European Parliament released a new study on the Labelling of Plant-Based Seafood Substitutes. The study focuses on recent developments in the plant-based seafood market and the challenges they pose to the EU fisheries sector in terms of labeling. It proposes adjustments to the current EU legal framework to ensure that labeling of these new products provides accurate information to consumers. Labeling restrictions are increasingly becoming a key compliance hurdle in the EU's plant-based market, with product naming required to avoid misleading consumers.
United States
On June 24, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated its compliance program 7321.005, now titled General Food Labeling Requirements and Labeling-Related Sample Analysis - Domestic and Import. This update replaces the 2010 version and reflects current labeling regulations, operational guidance, and enforcement priorities. The new program aims to ensure that food facilities comply with FDA regulations, protect public health, and identify and address food safety concerns.
Key updates include the addition of sesame as the ninth major food allergen and the provision of guidance on gluten-free labeling requirements. The program also aligns with the 2016 Nutrition Facts Label updates, covering changes to label format and nutrient declarations.
On June 30, 2025, the U.S. FDA released the 2025 Human Foods Program Guidance Agenda. The agenda outlines topics for proposed new or revised guidance documents that represent key priorities for the HFP in 2025. The listed items are expected to be published in draft or final form by the end of the year. New topics include:
[Food Safety] Action Level for Opiate Alkaloids on Poppy Seeds: Draft Guidance for Industry
[Food Additives] Food Colors Derived from Natural Sources: Fruit Juice and Vegetable Juice as Color Additives in Food; Draft Guidance for Industry
[Dietary Supplements] New Dietary Ingredient Notifications and Related Issues: Identity and Safety Information About the NDI: Guidance for Industry
Brazil
On June 5, 2025, the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) issued Regulatory Instruction No. 369, amending Normative Instruction No. 211 of March 1, 2023. The update revises the technological functions, maximum limits and conditions of use of food additives and technological adjuvants authorized for use in food.
On June 6, 2025, ANVISA extended the submission deadline for Public Consultation No. 1,324/2025 by 45 days. This consultation concerns a proposed normative instruction that establishes the identity, purity, and compositional specifications for food ingredients authorized for use in food products.
Asia-Pacific
On June 3, 2025, Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) issued Notice No. 1141301145, revising the naming and labeling requirements for products such as flavored milk and dairy beverages derived from edible animal milk. The updated regulation took effect immediately. Enterprises should promptly update product packaging to ensure compliance with the new naming rules.
On June 11, 2025, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) issued Notification Circular - 344-25, inviting public comments on Application A1324. The application, submitted by Glycom A/S, seeks approval for 3-fucosyllactose produced by genetically modified Escherichia coli K-12 to be used as a nutritive substance in infant formula products. The proposed maximum permitted level is 80 mg/100 kJ, equivalent to 2 g/L.
On June 18, 2025, FSANZ approved Proposal P1055 to update the definitions of genetically modified (GM) food in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code). These updated definitions are intended to support consistent assessment and labeling of GM foods and to ensure that regulatory oversight remains proportionate to risk. Existing pre-market safety assessment and labeling requirements for GM foods will continue to apply.
In June 2025, Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) announced that starting from mid-2027, nutrition grading label requirements and advertising restrictions will be extended to key sources of sodium and saturated fat intake. These measures will apply to 23 subcategories of pre-packaged salt, sauces, seasonings, instant noodles, and oils (collectively referred to as SSSIO) sold at retail outlets. Companies exporting seasoning products to Singapore should closely monitor sodium content in their formulations and ensure compliance with advertising restrictions.
Eurasian Economic Union
On June 2, amendments to the lists of standards to the Eurasian Economic Union's technical regulation on food products adopted by the Eurasian Economic Commission's Board in December 2024 came into effect.
According to the amendments, the list of voluntary application standards is supplemented with 17 interstate standards, while the list of standards for methods is expanded with one interstate standard. Ten interstate standards are updated. 14 national standards of the EAEU countries are excluded, as the corresponding interstate standards have been developed based on them.
*This article is compiled by ZMUni Compliance Center, based on the latest regulatory updates from food-related regulatory authorities/agencies in various countries/regions.
