This article provides a comprehensive overview of key regulatory developments in the food sector in August 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.
🔘 China Updates on Three New Foods in August 2025
In August 2025, there were 2 new submissions for new food ingredients, 1 was notified with review comments, and 19 received extension notices. For new varieties of food additives, 9 submissions were accepted, 6 were notified with review comments, and 11 received extension notices. Among them, the submission of HMOs (human milk oligosaccharides) remains popular, while several new food ingredients related to ergothioneine received extensions.
Official link: https://zwfw.nhc.gov.cn/kzx/slgs/slgsqb/
🔘 China Sees New Imported Health Food Registration Approvals After Eight-Year Gap
A recent review of the China State Administration for Market Regulation(SAMR)'s website shows that five imported health foods were approved for registration between May and July—the first such registrations since 2017. Four were registered by WRIGHT LIFE PHARMACEUTICAL LIMITED, and one by Indonesia's PT. HELMIGS PRIMA SEJAHTERA. See previous news.
🔘 China Releases 30 Draft National Food Safety Standards in August 2025
On August 1, 2025, the Food Safety National Standard Review Committee released 30 draft national food safety standards for public consultation. The drafts cover standards on food nutrition fortification, contaminant limits, nutrition supplements for the elderly, formulated milk, and general principles for sports nutrition foods.
Official: link: https://www.nhc.gov.cn/sps/c100088/202508/d225acc0b11e42afa7e59e7a54d7e9db.shtml
🔘 China Drafts Regulation on Live-Streaming E-Commerce Food Safety Released
On August 1, 2025, China's SAMR published the Draft Regulation on Implementing Food Safety Responsibilities in Live-Streaming E-Commerce, aiming to further enforce food safety responsibilities, regulate food operations in live-streaming platforms, and protect the legitimate rights of consumers and businesses.
Official link: https://www.samr.gov.cn/xw/zj/art/2025/art_d05708e70443426ab4b6d4d7860a51e5.html
🔘 China Opens Public Consultation for Two Mandatory Pet Food Standards
On August 11, 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs opened public consultation for two mandatory national standards: Hygienic Standard for Pets Food and Pet Food Label, with feedback collection open until October 10, 2025.
Official: link: https://std.samr.gov.cn/gb/search/gbqSuggestionDetail?id=E74132B2C2E8AF2FE0FC3A8C31DB8E20 https://std.samr.gov.cn/gb/search/gbqSuggestionDetail?id=45F533FD9BF81716FC08848908D46FDC
🔘 China Expands the Food-Medicine Dual-Use Substance List
In response to multiple proposals from deputies to the National People's Congress, the National Health Commission issued a special reply on August 19, 2025. The reply focused on the expansion of the “List of Substances Both Food and Medicine,”(药食同源物质目录) specifically mentioning Damascus rose, Guizhou Rosa roxburghii (chili rose), Silybum marianum, and Rana chensinensis.
🔘 China SAMR Reveals 5-Year Health Food Rectification Results and Future Plans
On August 29, 2025, China's SAMR, together with multiple departments, held a special press conference on food safety. They reported the outcomes of the five-year health food rectification campaign launched in 2020. The press conference also clarified the dual-track system of health food registration and filing, introduced the upcoming revised production standard (GB17405), and outlined plans to expand the filing ingredient list and crack down on false advertising of health products for the elderly, aiming to ensure product safety and maintain market order.
Official link: https://www.samr.gov.cn/xw/xwfbt/art/2025/art_0d719c42242d456a890f3b61bd2ed8f9.html
🔘 China Rejects 476 batches of Non-compliant Food Imports in July 2025
On August 25, 2025, China's General Administration of Customs (GACC) released its list of non-compliant imported food products for July 2025. According to the list, a total of 476 batches from 37 countries and regions were denied entry, representing a month-on-month decrease of approximately 2% (down 9 batches from 485 in June) but a year-on-year increase of about 21% up 84 batches from 392 in July 2024. The number of food items denied entry remained at a relatively high level.
Detailed Analysis: Why Edible Bird's Nest Continues to Fail for Aluminum and Alum — China's Non-compliant Food Imports in July 2025
🔘 Taiwan, China Opens Second Public Consultation on Emerging Food Ingredient Safety Draft
On August 21, 2025, the Taiwan FDA (Food and Drug Administration) released and updated the draft Operational Principles for Safety Assessment of Emerging Food Ingredients, initiating a second round of public consultation. The draft clarifies the definition, review mechanism, submission process, and required information for safety assessment of non-traditional food ingredients. The guideline aims to conduct prudent evaluations based on scientific evidence, protecting consumer health while balancing industry development needs. Stakeholders may submit feedback by September 21, 2025.
Official link: https://www.fda.gov.tw/TC/newsContent.aspx?cid=5072&id=31169
🔘 Hong Kong, China Updates Metal Contaminant Limits in Food
Hong Kong's Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) (Amendment) Regulation 2025, passed on 30 July 2025, adds 27 new maximum limits (MLs) for metals in specific foods and updates 9 existing MLs, aligning with Codex standards. It takes effect on 5 September 2025, with an 18-month grace period until 5 March 2027, during which foods may comply with either the new or previous standards; full compliance is required after the grace period.
Official link: https://eping.wto.org/en/Search?viewData=%20G/SPS/N/HKG/50/Add.1
🔘 EU Authorizes L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate Sodium Salt in Infant and Special Foods
On 4 June 2025, the European Commission adopted Regulation (EU) 2025/1735, amending the Annex of Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 of the European Parliament and Council. The amendment permits the use of L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate sodium salt as a source of folate in infant formula, follow-on formula, processed cereal-based foods, other infant foods, total diet replacements for weight control, and foods for special medical purposes. The regulation was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 12 August 2025 and became applicable 20 days after publication, with full binding force in all member states.
Official link:
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202501735
🔘 EFSA Confirms Safety of Two Novel Foods
In August 2025, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published two scientific opinions on novel foods:
1. rhamnogalacturonan‐I enriched carrot fibre (cRG‐I) – This high-molecular-weight polysaccharide is extracted from carrot pulp. EFSA concluded that, considering its source, composition, and production process, there are no safety concerns at the proposed levels of use.
Official link: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/9537
2. lacto‐N‐tetraose (LNT) produced by a derivative strain (Escherichia coli K‐12 MG1655 INB_LNT_01) of E. coli K‐12 MG1655 (ATCC 700926) – This novel food contains LNT as the main component along with related oligosaccharides. Based on its composition, production process, and comparison with intake from human breast milk, EFSA concluded that the food is safe under proposed conditions and use levels.
Official link: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/9610
🔘 Four EFSA Opinions on Food Additives and Enzymes
Also in August 2025, EFSA issued four opinions related to food ingredients:
4. Re‐evaluation of oxygen (E 948) and hydrogen (E 949) as food additives
🔘 EFSA Releases FAIM 3.0.0 for Chronic Dietary Exposure Estimation
EFSA also announced the development of FAIM 3.0.0, upgrading the Food Additive Intake Model. Open Analytics was commissioned to estimate chronic dietary exposure for novel and approved food additives based on the latest food consumption and chemical occurrence data as of June 2025.
Official link: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/supporting/pub/en-9583
🔘 EFSA Confirms Safety and Efficacy of Two Feed Additives
1. 6‐phytase produced by (Komagataella phaffii CGMCC 7.370) (VTR‐phytase) – Safety confirmed for target animals, consumers, and the environment. Efficacy confirmed for fattening poultry, laying/parent stock, and all pigs, with recommended doses adjusted for species and growth stages.
Official link: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/9556
2. L‐arginine produced with Escherichia coli CCTCC M 20231961 – Safe for target animals, consumers, and the environment when added to feed; safety in drinking water is uncertain, and occupational exposure risks are to be confirmed. Efficacy meets L-arginine requirements for non-ruminants; ruminants require rumen-protected formulations.
Official link: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/9609
🔘 UK Updates Organic Food Labelling Rules
On 20 August 2025, the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) revised the organic food labelling regulations, effective immediately. Key updates include: certification is required from a UK-recognised organic control body before using terms like "organic," "organically grown," or "organic production"; foods with less than 95% organic ingredients must still be certified and may only reference organic status in the ingredient list or accompanying documents; all labels with organic terms require approval by the relevant control body, and third-party label designers must also be certified. Non-compliance may prohibit the use of organic claims.
Official link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/organic-food-labelling-rules#full-publication-update-history
🔘 UK FSA Launches Consultation on CBD Novel Food Applications
On 28 August 2025, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) launched a consultation to gather stakeholder feedback on three novel food applications for cannabidiol (CBD) products submitted in Great Britain. FSA, together with the Food Standards Scotland (FSS), issued guidance on risk management and safety assessment for these applications. Under the NIRMS framework, only pre-packaged retail products may enter Northern Ireland, meaning local NI producers cannot manufacture CBD products, but imports from Great Britain are permitted. The consultation closes on 20 November 2025.
🔘 US House Introduces Grocery Reform and Safety (GRAS) Act
On 12 August 2025, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D–New Jersey) introduced H.R.4958, the Grocery Reform and Safety Act (“GRAS Act”), to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The most significant proposed measure is the potential elimination of the current self-affirmed GRAS (“Self-affirmed GRAS”) system. The bill is at the introductory stage and has not yet passed the House; its future progress remains uncertain.
Official link: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4958/actions
🔘 US FDA GRAS Review Updates in August 2025
In August 2025, the FDA published two updates on GRAS notifications (as of 22 August). During this period, 29 new substances were added, bringing the total to 1,263. Chinese companies accounted for 12 of the new submissions, representing 41% of the additions, highlighting their prominent participation in the GRAS process.
🔘 Health Canada Proposes Revision to List of Permitted Supplemental Ingredients
Health Canada issued Proposal Notice P-SIS-25-02, proposing revisions to the List of Permitted Supplemental Ingredients to permit 30% juice in certain caffeinated beverages. Additionally, the Food and Nutrition Directorate identified inconsistencies in the caffeine entries: the terminology used in column 5 of entry (1) differs from that in entry (2), and the French version of entry (2) does not accurately reflect the English version, resulting in minor discrepancies between the English and French listings.
🔘 South Korea Issues Functional Assessment Guidelines for Liver Health
On 5 August 2025, South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) released guidance on functional assessments for health functional foods related to liver health. The guidelines cover functionality overview, introduction, general considerations, hygienic significance, functional testing methods, biomarker selection, measurement of key biomarkers, trial design considerations, and references. The guidance is non-binding; statements such as "must comply" do not impose legal obligations on applicants.
Official link: https://www.mfds.go.kr/brd/m_1060/view.do?seq=15699
🔘 FSANZ Approves Enzyme-Produced Steviol Glycosides
Australia New Zealand Food Standards (FSANZ) approved a standard change under Application A1318, allowing the production of Steviol glycosides produced by enzymatic conversion using enzymes produced by GM Escherichia coli BL21.
Official link: https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/food-standards-code/circulars/notification-circular-354-25
*This article is compiled by ZMUni Compliance Center, based on the latest regulatory updates from food-related regulatory authorities/agencies in various countries/regions.
