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This article provides a comprehensive overview of key regulatory developments in the food sector in July 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 Three New Food Updates (July 2026)
In July 2026, the National Health Commission (NHC) released two notices, seeking comments on 4 new food ingredients and four new food additive varieties. For further reading, read our previous articles below:
China Seeks Public Comments on Four New Food Ingredients, Including Procyanidins
China Consults on Three New Food Additive Varieties, Including LNnT and 3'-SL
🔘 China Proposes New Rules for Health Foods Using Probiotic, Animal, and Plant Ingredients
On July 24, 2026, China SAMR released three draft rules for public consultation covering the registration and notification of health foods using probiotic, animal-derived, and plant-derived ingredients. The drafts aim to further clarify application and management requirements for health foods using different types of raw materials. Public comments are open until August 24, 2026.
Source:
https://www.samr.gov.cn/hd/zjdc/art/2026/art_81aa62ce7bd9453186f2eef219537d84.html
https://www.samr.gov.cn/hd/zjdc/art/2026/art_f7d44ea6eec045f49810e933fdbee85a.html
🔘 China Releases New National Standard for Solid Beverages
On July 2, 2026, China SAMR and the Standardization Administration of China (SAC) jointly approved and issued 508 recommended national standards and one amendment. Among them, GB/T 29602-2026 Quality Requirements for Solid Beverages, sets out updated requirements for solid beverage products and will take effect on August 1, 2027.
Source: https://std.samr.gov.cn//gb/search/gbDetailed?id=55B3892F9535336AE06397BE0A0A4BF9&
🔘 China Proposes Updated Production Licensing Review Rules for Multiple Food Categories
In July 2026, China SAMR released draft amendments to the Production Licensing Review Rules for four food categories: infant complementary foods, fruit products, condiments, and frozen beverages. The drafts aim to further standardize and strengthen production licensing review requirements for these categories and are currently open for public consultation.
Source: https://www.samr.gov.cn:3000/hd/zjdc/index.html
🔘 China's Non-compliant Food Imports in June 2025
On July 16, 2026, China's General Administration of Customs (GACC) released its list of non-compliant imported food products for June 2026. A total of 548 batches from 40 countries and regions were denied entry, representing a month-on-month decrease of approximately 22% (down 158 batches from 706 in May 2026) and a year-on-year increase of about 13% (up 63 batches from 485 in the same period last year). See detailed analysis.
🔘 Codex Adopts New Guidelines on Precautionary Allergen Labelling
At its 49th Session in July 2026, the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) agreed to adopt new guidelines on precautionary allergen labelling (PAL), such as "may contain nuts" warnings. The guidelines provide science-based thresholds for assessing allergen risks and aim to reduce the overuse or misuse of precautionary allergen statements. Once adopted, the guidelines will be included as an annex to the General Standard for the Labelling of Pre-packaged Foods (CXS 1-1985).
Source: CAC49 / Groundbreaking guidelines set to fundamentally change food allergen labelling
🔘 California Implements New Food Date Labeling Requirements
Effective July 1, 2026, California's AB 660 (Chapter 911, Statutes of 2024) introduces standardized date labeling requirements for food products. Covered products must use "BEST if Used by" (or "BEST if Used or Frozen by") to indicate quality dates and "USE by" (or "USE by or Freeze by") to indicate safety dates. Consumer-facing "sell by" dates are prohibited for covered food products manufactured on or after July 1, 2026. The requirements generally apply to food manufacturers, processors, and retailers, with exemptions including infant formula, eggs, and beer and other malt beverages.
Source: Assembly Bill No. 660
🔘 FDA Takes Further Steps to Remove Outdated Authorizations for Color Additives in Food
On July 22, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced two actions concerning petroleum-based color additives in food. The FDA revoked the authorization for Orange B following its conclusion that the authorized use had been abandoned by industry, and proposed revoking the authorization for Citrus Red No. 2, which has been authorized for coloring the skins of mature oranges since 1959. Public comments on the proposed revocation of Citrus Red No. 2 are open until August 24, 2026.
Source: FDA Takes Further Steps to Remove Outdated Authorizations for Color Additives in Food
🔘 FDA Reopens Public Comment Period on BHT Safety Review
On July 29, 2026, the U.S. FDA reopened the public comment period for its Request for Information on butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) in human food and as a food contact substance. The request seeks information on BHT's current uses and safety data as part of the FDA's post-market assessment of chemicals in food. The comment period has been extended to August 31, 2026.
Source: FDA Reopens Public Comment Period for Request for Information on Butylated Hydroxytoluene
🔘 EU Strengthens Listeria monocytogenes Criteria for Ready-to-Eat Foods
Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/2895, applicable from July 1, 2026, amends Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 to strengthen food safety criteria for Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods that can support its growth. For products where food business operators cannot demonstrate that Listeria levels will remain below 100 CFU/g throughout shelf life, the criterion "not detected in 25 g" applies throughout the product's shelf life, including after the product has been placed on the market.
Source: COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2024/2895
🔘 EU Authorises Rhizomucor pusillus Mycelium as a Novel Food
On July 3, 2026, the European Commission adopted Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1507, authorising Rhizomucor pusillus mycelium as a novel food and amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470. The novel food is authorised for use in various food categories, including cereal-based products, biscuits, cereal bars, dairy analogues, non-alcoholic beverages, and food supplements, subject to specified maximum levels and labelling requirements. The authorisation took effect on July 26, 2026, with data protection granted to the applicant, The Protein Brewery B.V., for five years.
Source: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1507
🔘 EU Expands Conditions of Use for Galacto-Oligosaccharide
On July 20, 2026, the European Commission adopted Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1749, amending the Union list of novel foods under Regulation (EU) 2017/2470 to update the conditions of use for galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS). The amendment expands its authorised use to additional food categories, including confectionery, beverages, cereal products, protein products, coffee-based drinks, and flavoured milk-based drinks, while also consolidating and clarifying several existing food categories. The Regulation will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Source: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1749
🔘 EU Updates Maximum Levels for 3-MCPD and Furan Contaminants in Food
On July 29, 2026, the European Commission adopted Commission Regulations (EU) 2026/1825 and (EU) 2026/1890, amending Regulation (EU) 2023/915 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food. Regulation (EU) 2026/1825 updates the maximum levels for 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD), 3-MCPD fatty acid esters and glycidyl fatty acid esters in certain foods, while Regulation (EU) 2026/1890 introduces or revises maximum levels for the sum of furan, 2-methylfuran and 3-methylfuran in specified food categories, including certain foods for infants and young children.
Source:
Commission Regulations (EU) 2026/1825
Commission Regulations (EU) 2026/1890
🔘 Australia-New Zealand Consults on GM-Derived Beta-Casein Protein
On July 9, 2026, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) opened public consultation on an application to permit beta-casein protein preparation (BCPP1) produced through fermentation using a genetically modified strain of Komagataella phaffii. The ingredient is intended for use in foods such as dairy substitutes, protein beverages, and baked goods. FSANZ's safety assessment identified no public health or safety concerns, but proposed mandatory "milk" allergen labelling and additional advisory labelling for products represented as milk-free. Public submissions are open until August 20, 2026.
Source: Call for comment on a beta-casein protein preparation from a GM source
🔘 Thailand Implements New Food Advertising Criteria
On July 27, 2026, Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) published the Notification on Food Advertising Criteria B.E. 2569 (2026) in the Royal Gazette. The new criteria, effective July 28, 2026, replace the previous 2021 rules and introduce updated requirements for food advertising. Key changes include stricter controls on advertising claims, additional requirements for kratom-, cannabis-, and hemp-containing foods, and new provisions on warning statements and claims such as "gluten free," "probiotic," and "FDA Quality Award."
Source: Food Advertising Criteria B.E. 2569 (2026)
🔘 Thailand Reviews Regulations on Flavouring Substances
On July 9, 2026, the Thai FDA launched a review of regulations governing flavouring substances and flavouring agents. The review aims to update the regulatory framework in line with current food industry practices and international principles. The authority is seeking comments and relevant technical information from stakeholders, with submissions due by September 15, 2026.
Source: https://food.fda.moph.go.th/press-release/law-flavor
🔘 South Korea Proposes Changes to Health Functional Food Labelling Requirements
On July 1, 2026, Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) announced a proposed amendment to the Standards for Labelling of Health Functional Foods. The amendment aims to improve the distinctiveness of the health functional food and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) marks, as their current designs are considered too similar to the HACCP mark used for general foods, which may cause consumer confusion. The proposal would introduce revised designs to help consumers more easily distinguish health functional foods from general foods. Public comments are open until August 31, 2026.
Source: Notice No. 2026-314
*This article is compiled by ZMUni Compliance Center, based on the latest regulatory updates from food-related regulatory authorities/agencies in various countries/regions.
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