This article focuses on summarizing the regulatory developments related to food within China and internationally in November 2024, with an emphasis on updates in regulations concerning new food ingredients, food additives, feed additives, and special foods.
On November 1, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) released key review guidelines for implementing the replacement of health foods that lack "expiration dates and product technical standards" (referred to as “dual-no” products). The announcement outlines the overall objectives, basic principles, scope of renewal, and renewal procedures. See previous report.
On November 8, 2024, the Standards and Technology Management Department of China SAMR issued three public consultation notices related to health foods, including:
Draft for approval on the determination of pantothenic acid in health foods.
Draft for approval on the determination of inositol in health foods.
Draft for approval on the determination of thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, niacin, niacinamide, and caffeine in health foods.
On November 11, 2024, China SAMR issued an announcement regarding the release of the Key Points for On-site Inspection and Judgment Principles of Clinical Trials for Registration of Special Medical Purpose Formula Foods.
On November 20, 2024, the National Health Commission (NHC) updated the List of New Food Ingredients with Terminated Review, adding one new food ingredient to the list: Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (White Algae).
On November 15, 2024, China’s National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) released a collections of FAQs, covering 8 main categories and addressing a total of 98 specific questions. See previous report.
On November 28, 2024, the National Standards Information Public Service Platform issued a public consultation on the General Terms for Food Nutrition and Health Management.
On November 12, 2024, the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China(GACC) issued an announcement regarding the Adjustment to the Import Food Catalogue for Animal and Plant Quarantine Approval Management, which declares the cancellation of quarantine approval requirements for various food products, including preserved meat products, casings, dairy products, aquatic products, and bird’s nest.
On November 15, 2024, GACC issued a notice soliciting public comments on the Supervision and Administration Measures for Inspection and Quarantine of Import and Export Feeds and Feed Additives (Draft for Comments). The deadline for submitting feedback is December 18, 2024.
On November 22, 2024, GACC released the list of non-compliant imported food from October 2024, which included 198 batches. Among these, two batches of DHA algal oil were rejected due to the presence of unapproved plant-based ingredients.
On November 8, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) revised the standards for frozen fruit juices, which includes packaging, labeling, and manufacturing requirements, which has been implemented from the date of publication. See official announcement.
On November 14, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released an updated version of the Guidance for Industry: FDA's Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP). The VQIP allows for faster review and importation of foods from importers who maintain high safety and security standards in the supply chain. See official announcement.
On November 20, 2024, the USDA revised the USDA Commodity Requirements Yogurt Products for Use in Domestic Programs, effective as of the date of publication. The changes include sugars content, labeling, packaging and certification requirements. See official announcement.
In November 2024, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) released six scientific opinions on novel food. These included extending the authorization for steviol glycosides (E 960a–d) as food additives, revising the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of steviol, and re-evaluating saccharin and its sodium, potassium, and calcium salts (E 954) as food additives. EFSA also issued seven scientific opinions on feed additives in November.
On November 4, 2024, the European Commission issued Regulation (EU) 2024/2781, extending the approval period for 13 active substances, including pymetrozine. This regulation took effect on the twentieth day following its publication. See official announcement.
On November 12, 2024, the European Commission issued Regulation (EU) 2024/2848, amending the approval period for amisulbrom and fluazinam. This regulation took effect on the twentieth day following its publication. See official announcement.
On November 13, 2024, the European Commission issued Regulation (EU) 2024/2856, amending Annex I of Regulation (EC) 1334/2008 and removing benzene-1,2-diol from the list of flavoring substances. See official announcement.
On November 21, 2024, the Official Journal of the European Union published Regulation (EU) 2024/2895, amending Annex I, Chapter 1, Item 1.2 of Regulation (EC) 2073/2005 regarding food safety standards related to Listeria monocytogenes. The new requirements will be enforced starting July 1, 2026. This regulation takes effect 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. See official announcement.
On November 8, 2024, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) issued Notification 315-24, approving 2-methyloxolane as a processing aid (specifically as an extraction solvent) for use in food (i.e., Proposal A1260). The notification also sets the maximum residue limits for this substance in various types of food. See official announcement.
2. On November 12, 2024, FSANZ issued Notification 317-24, seeking a second round of public comments on Proposal A1269, which concerns the approval of quail meat derived from cell culture as a novel food. See official announcement.
On November 21, 2024, Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) of Japan has issued a call for public comments on proposed revisions to the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for supplement-form foods. These changes aim to address health concerns related to Foods with Function Claims (FFC) containing red yeast rice. See official announcement.
*This article is compiled by ZMUni Compliance Center, based on the latest regulatory updates from food-related regulatory authorities/agencies in various countries/regions.
