导航菜单
This article provides a comprehensive overview of key regulatory developments in the food sector in April 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 Releases April 2026 Review Updates on New Food Ingredients and Additives
In April 2026, China's National Health Commission (NHC) released several "three new foods" review updates, including public consultations on four new food ingredients, including glucosyl hesperidin, L-ergothioneine, sodium γ-polyglutamate, and silk protein, as well as two new food additive varieties: carmine and sodium 3'-sialyllactose as a food nutrition fortifier.
🔘 China Proposes Adding Lycopene to Health Food Raw Material Directory
In April 2026, China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) released the draft Health Food Raw Material Directory - Lycopene for public consultation, proposing to include lycopene in the health food ingredient directory.
The draft covers four forms of lycopene, including tomato extract, tomato oleoresin, purified tomato extract, and synthetic lycopene, and specifies usage requirements, permitted health claims, and technical requirements. It also proposes adding the health function of "supplementing lycopene," with functional interpretations related to immune support and antioxidant effects.
Source: https://www.samr.gov.cn/hd/zjdc/art/2026/art_9fcde213c62e4897bffc6fb32ea9c5f8.html
🔘 China Launches Drafting of National Standard for Lutein Esters as Health Food Ingredient
On April 2, 2026, China National Research Institute of Food and Fermentation Industries Co., Ltd. issued a notice to initiate the drafting work for the national standard Health Food Ingredient: Lutein Esters and publicly solicit suggestions for the standard development.
Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/db2PTIlmsiBeWQ-U1QqZDQ
🔘 China Releases Three Dietary Guidance Documents for Chronic Disease Management
On April 3, 2026, to implement the "Healthy China Action (2019-2030)" and the "National Nutrition Plan (2017-2030)," and to leverage the role of food-medicinal substances and new food ingredients in dietary health, China NHC issued three dietary guidelines targeting adult stroke, osteoporosis, and sarcopenia, aiming to support chronic disease prevention and improve national nutrition and health levels.
Source: https://www.nhc.gov.cn/sps/c100087/202604/a69d2fce21e040dc96cbc40b923a06d3.shtml
🔘 China Updates Overseas Food Manufacturer Registration Rules for Imports
On April 8, 2026, China's General Administration of Customs released a revised regulatory framework for the registration of overseas manufacturers of imported food, along with an updated set of FAQs and official responses. The revision further clarifies procedural requirements and technical standards for overseas registration, while the accompanying guidance helps enterprises better understand compliance requirements and reduce risks in cross-border registration and filing processes.
Source: http://jckspj.customs.gov.cn/spj/2026-04/08/article_2026040808152953019.html
🔘 China Seeks Public Comments on 37 National Food Safety Standards, with Key Labeling and Additive Revisions Under Focus
On April 17, 2026, the Secretariat of China's National Food Safety Standard Review Committee issued a consultation notice on 37 draft national food safety standards, including the Food Safety National Standard for Pasteurized Milk. Among them, proposed revisions to the labeling standard for prepackaged foods for special dietary uses, Amendment No. 1 to GB 2760-2024, and Amendment No. 1 to GB 30616-2020 have drawn particular industry attention due to their broad scope and significant compliance implications.
Source: https://www.nhc.gov.cn/sps/c100087/202604/4505ca0b3875449c9f97540db94ec83a.shtml
🔘 China's Non-compliant Food Imports in March 2025
On April 21, 2026, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) released its list of non-compliant imported food products for March 2026. A total of 445 batches from 37 countries and regions were denied entry, representing a a month-on-month decrease of approximately 2% (down 7 batches from 452 in February 2026) and a year-on-year increase of about 93% (up 214 batches from 231 in the same period last year). See detailed analysis.
🔘 Taiwan Proposes "Traffic Light" FOP Nutrition Labeling System
On April 10, 2026, Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) and Health Promotion Administration (HPA) jointly released a draft proposal introducing a “traffic light” front-of-pack (FOP) nutrition labeling system. The approach is designed to provide consumers with a more intuitive and easy-to-understand reference to support healthier food choices, thereby contributing to chronic disease prevention and promoting healthier dietary habits.
Source: https://www.fda.gov.tw/TC/newsContent.aspx?cid=4&id=31511
🔘 Indonesia Proposes New Enforcement Guidelines for Supplements and Cosmetics
On April 1, 2026, Indonesia's National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) released a draft regulation on follow-up actions for the supervision of natural medicines, health supplements, quasi drugs, and cosmetics. The proposal introduces a risk-based enforcement framework covering product quality, safety, labeling, advertising, imports, and recalls, while also strengthening measures against non-compliant and unregistered products.
🔘 Japan Expands Mandatory Allergen Labeling in Latest Food Standard Revision
On April 1, 2026, Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) has implemented Cabinet Office Ordinance No. 34, introducing pivotal amendments to the Food Labeling Standards. The revision marks a significant update to Japan's allergen labeling regime, most notably elevating cashew nuts to a mandatory labeling item and adding pistachios to the recommended list. While the ordinance entered into force immediately, the CAA has provided tailored transition periods—extending up to March 31, 2028, for mandatory allergen changes—to allow food business operators sufficient time for reformulation and packaging updates.
Source: 令和8年4月1日消食表第237号
🔘 South Korea Proposes Stronger Enforcement on Food Labeling
On April 3, 2026, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) released a draft amendment to the Enforcement Rules of the Act on Labeling and Advertising of Food.
The proposal aims to strengthen administrative penalties for non-compliance with net content labeling requirements, including stricter sanctions for products that fail to disclose reductions in content volume. Public consultation is open until May 15, 2026.
Source: MFDS Notice No. 2026-166
🔘 South Korea Issues Regulation on Approval of Functional Ingredients
On April 13, 2026, South Korea's MFDS issued Notice No. 2026-33, establishing regulations on the recognition of health functional ingredients and standards/specifications. The regulation aims to ensure proper implementation of the approval process by defining evaluation principles, documentation requirements, and procedures for the recognition of functional ingredients and standards under relevant provisions of the Health Functional Food Act.
Source: MFDS Notice No. 2026-33
🔘 French Extend Ban on Garcinia Cambogia Supplements
On April 17, 2026, French authorities have officially extended the ban on food supplements containing Garcinia cambogia and its derivatives. The renewed decree, effective April 18, 2026, mandates an immediate suspension of all imports, sales, and marketing of these products across France. This regulatory action follows ongoing safety concerns raised by ANSES regarding acute health risks, including liver toxicity and cardiovascular issues. Businesses are required to withdraw remaining stock and initiate consumer recalls to ensure public protection.
Source: https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000053907152
🔘 EU Adopts New Rules on New Genomic Techniques (NGTs)
On April 21, 2026, the Council of the European Union adopted new rules on new genomic techniques (NGTs) to support a more sustainable and competitive EU agri-food system. The framework aims to improve food security, reduce external dependence, and promote climate-resilient crops while maintaining high health and environmental standards. It introduces a two-category system for NGT plants, with simplified rules for conventional-like varieties (NGT-1) and full GMO regulation for more complex modifications (NGT-2). The regulation will enter into force after approval by the European Parliament, with application expected from mid-2028.
🔘 Canada Authorizes Expanded Use of Transglutaminase as Food Enzyme
On April 14, 2026, Health Canada modified the List of Permitted Food Enzymes to authorize the use of transglutaminase derived from Bacillus licheniformis strain NZYM-TR in a wider range of plant- and animal-based foods under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) conditions. The approved applications include bakery products, dairy products, meat products, plant-based alternatives, tofu, pasta, and beer.
🔘 US Reintroduces Food Labeling Modernization Bill
On April 21, 2026, U.S. lawmakers reintroduced the Food Labeling Modernization Act, aiming to update front-of-pack nutrition labeling, require clearer ingredient list updates, and strengthen consumer-friendly labeling rules to improve transparency and help consumers better understand and compare food products.
🔘 Canada Reclassifies Sports Electrolyte Products as Foods
On April 23, 2026, Health Canada announced that sports electrolyte products will transition from the Natural Health Product (NHP) framework to the food regulatory framework. The change applies to products such as ready-to-drink beverages, powders, and effervescent tablets marketed for hydration and electrolyte replacement.
Health Canada stated that the move aims to improve regulatory consistency, reduce consumer confusion, and streamline compliance requirements. Existing products are encouraged to complete the transition by December 31, 2027.
🔘 Brazil Updates Supplement Rules with New Ingredients and Claims
On April 1, 2026, Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) issued Normative Instruction No. 431/2026, updating the country's food supplement regulation. The amendment added new permitted ingredients, including baru almond oil, DHA-rich microalgae oil, açaí-derived bioactives, and several probiotic strains. It also introduced related daily intake limits, authorized health claims for nervous system and gastrointestinal health, and new labeling requirements for certain products containing açaí ingredients or probiotics.
Source: Instrução Normativa Anvisa nº 431, de 01/04/2026
🔘 Brazil Updates Rules on Food Additives and Processing Aids
On April 1, 2026, Brazil's ANVISA issued Normative Instruction No. 432/2026, amending IN No. 211/2023 on authorized food additives and processing aids. Published in the Official Gazette (DOU) on April 2, the revision updates the permitted uses, limits, and conditions for various additives and processing aids in products such as dairy beverages, fruit juices, meat products, dietary supplements, and infant formula. The regulation also introduces updated labeling transition requirements for certain products.
Source: Instrução Normativa Anvisa nº 432, de 01/04/2026
🔘 Brazil ANVISA Tightens Rules on Turmeric-Containing Supplements
On April 22, 2026, Brazil's ANVISA updated Normative Instruction No. 28/2018, introducing revised use limits and enhanced labeling requirements for dietary supplements containing turmeric (açafrão). The change was published under Normative Instruction No. 438/2026 in the Official Gazette (DOU).
The update follows post-market surveillance findings suggesting potential liver injury risks associated with the use of turmeric- or curcuminoid-containing supplements and medicines. In March, ANVISA had already issued a pharmacovigilance alert warning consumers and healthcare professionals about these risks.
*This article is compiled by ZMUni Compliance Center, based on the latest regulatory updates from food-related regulatory authorities/agencies in various countries/regions.
