导航菜单
This article provides a comprehensive overview of key regulatory developments in the food sector in March 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 Updates Review Status of New Food Ingredients and Additives (March 2026)
In March 2026, China's National Health Commission (NHC) released the latest update on the review status of "Three New Foods," covering new food ingredients, new food additives, and related products.
A total of 3 new food ingredients were newly accepted for review, including: Glucuronolactone, N-acetylglucosamine, and Yerba mate.
In addition, 11 new food additive varieties were accepted, such as Neotame, Advantame, Deaminase, Enzymatically produced steviol glycosides, Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), 6’-Sialyllactose sodium salt, etc.
One new food ingredient, Sialic acid, had its review terminated. This decision was made because the substance is considered substantially equivalent to the same ingredient already approved under Announcement No. 7 of 2017. The termination is subject to a residual protein limit of ≤100 mg/kg, while other requirements remain consistent with the previously approved specifications.
🔘 China Revises Measures on Commodity Barcodes to Strengthen Market Identification System
In March 2026, China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) issued the revised Administrative Measures for Commodity Barcodes, introducing updated rules governing barcode management, which serves as the "identity card" of goods. The revision aims to reduce administrative burden on enterprises while strengthening the foundation for market circulation and consumer safety. The new Measures will take effect on May 1, 2026.
Source: https://www.samr.gov.cn/zw/zfxxgk/fdzdgknr/fgs/art/2026/art_0f6e0c2afbd149cd813886485764fc97.html
🔘 China Launches Self-Inspection Initiative on Misleading Online Promotion of Food and Health Food Products
On March 13, 2026, the China Health Care Association issued a notice calling for enterprises to conduct self-inspection and rectification regarding misleading promotional practices in the online sale of food and health food products. The move reflects ongoing efforts to standardize online marketing practices and safeguard consumer rights in China's rapidly growing digital food and health product market.
Source: http://www.chc.org.cn/news/detail.php?id=119696
🔘 China Launches Campaign to Strengthen Online Food Safety Compliance
On March 16, 2026, China SAMR announced a series of initiatives aimed at improving compliance in the online food sector. The campaign focuses on addressing key issues such as irregularities in livestream e-commerce, falsified qualifications for online food operators, and misleading or false advertising. Through stricter regulatory oversight, the initiative seeks to enhance compliance standards across online platforms and better safeguard consumer food safety in the rapidly evolving digital marketplace.
Source: https://www.samr.gov.cn/xw/zj/art/2026/art_cf5c13b637cd4fe6b2322f6d2cf3b777.html
🔘 China Customs Streamlines Registration for Overseas Food Manufacturers: New Guidelines Released
On March 18, 2026, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) issued Announcement No. 27 of 2026, unveiling the implementation details for the updated Administrative Provisions on Registration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food. These measures, set to take effect on June 1, 2026, aim to modernize and simplify the registration process for the more than 96,000 overseas enterprises currently exporting food to China. See previous news.
🔘 China Seeks Public Comments on 13 Recommended National Standards for Health Food Ingredients
On March 27, 2026, China SAMR, together with the Standardization Administration of China, released 13 draft recommended national standards for public consultation. These standards cover a range of health food ingredients, including spirulina, broken ganoderma spore powder, and coenzyme Q10.
The proposed standards aim to further standardize quality specifications and testing methods for these ingredients, thereby strengthening quality control and ensuring the safety of health food products in the Chinese market.
Source: https://www.sac.gov.cn/xw/zqyj/art/2026/art_2464bc3c725340f8a9c2cdfb20274399.html
🔘 China's Non-compliant Food Imports in February 2025
On March 27 2026, China's General Administration of Customs (GACC) released its list of non-compliant imported food products for February 2026. A total of 452 batches from 42 countries and regions were denied entry, representing This represents a month-on-month decrease of approximately 28% (down 177 batches from 629 in January 2026), but a year-on-year increase of about 69% (up 185 batches from 267 in February 2025). See detailed analysis.
🔘 Taiwan Updates F01 and F02 Import Classification Tables for Food Products
On March 24, 2026, the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) announced revisions to the "F01 and F02 Import Classification Tables," which will take effect on April 1, 2026.
Under the updated requirements, relevant food products, as well as food-contact materials such as utensils and containers, must undergo import inspection in accordance with the Regulations Governing the Inspection of Imported Foods and Related Products. The measure aims to ensure regulatory compliance and strengthen oversight of imported food-related products.
Source: https://www.fda.gov.tw/TC/newsContent.aspx?cid=3&id=31462
🔘 Taiwan Proposes Revisions to Testing Methods for Four Food Additives
In March 2026, TFDA issued several draft announcements proposing revisions to testing methods for food additive specifications and opened a 60-day public consultation period.
The proposed updates cover four testing methods, including those for titanium dioxide, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), carbon dioxide, and Food Red No. 7 aluminum lake. Stakeholders are encouraged to submit feedback during the consultation period and closely monitor these developments to ensure continued compliance with export requirements.
Source: https://www.fda.gov.tw/tc/news.aspx?cid=3
🔘 EU Approves GMO Sugar Beet KWS20-1 for Food and Feed Use
On February 27, 2026, the European Commission adopted Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/457 under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, authorizing the placing on the market of food, food ingredients, and feed derived from genetically modified sugar beet event KWS20-1. The event is assigned the unique identifier KB-KWS201-6 for traceability purposes.
The authorization is based on an application submitted in May 2023 by Bayer Agriculture B.V. (Belgium), on behalf of Bayer CropScience LLC (US) and KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA (Germany). The product was developed using Agrobacterium-mediated genetic modification to introduce herbicide tolerance traits.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded in May 2025 that KWS20-1 is as safe as conventional sugar beet for human and animal health and the environment, with no nutritional or safety concerns for derived food and feed. Following this assessment, the European Commission granted final approval, subject to EU requirements on GMO labeling, traceability, and monitoring.
🔘 EFSA Concludes Safety of 3'-Sialyllactose Sodium Salt as a Novel Food
On March 25, 2026, at the request of the European Commission, EFSA has issued a scientific opinion on 3'-sialyllactose (3'-SL) sodium salt as a novel food under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The substance belongs to the category of human-identical milk oligosaccharides (HiMOs) and is structurally identical to 3'-SL naturally present in human breast milk.
The novel food is produced via microbial fermentation using a genetically modified strain of Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655, followed by purification. EFSA assessed the production process, compositional data, stability, and available toxicological information.
EFSA concluded that 3'-SL sodium salt is safe under the proposed conditions of use and intake levels for the intended population groups, including infants, young children, and the general population.
Source: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/10009
🔘 EFSA Issues Scientific Opinions on Five Feed Additives
In March 2026, EFSA published five scientific opinions related to feed additives.
Enzyme additive containing α-galactosidase (Aspergillus tubingensis) and endo-1,4-β-xylanase (Trichoderma orientale); intended for weaned piglets; EFSA concluded it is safe and efficacious under proposed conditions.
Produced via fermentation using Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80368; assessed as safe for all animal species, consumers, and the environment; effective as a nutritional amino acid source.
Probiotic feed additive containing viable Enterococcus lactis cells; renewal assessment confirmed continued safety for authorised target species, consumers, and the environment.
Coccidiostat composed of narasin and diclazuril; intended for chickens for fattening and laying hens; EFSA confirmed safety for animals, consumers, users, and environment, and efficacy against coccidiosis.
Zootechnical probiotic additive; EFSA concluded efficacy in chickens for fattening at proposed use level, with extrapolation to related poultry species.
🔘 UK Plans Alignment with EU SPS Rules Across Food and Feed Safety
On March 9, 2026, the UK government published the scope of legislation for the proposed UK–EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement. The proposal sets out plans for the UK to realign with EU rules across key regulatory areas, including food safety, feed safety, nutrition labelling, pesticide controls, and organic standards, with the aim of reducing trade frictions.
A six-week consultation period has been launched for businesses, running until April 23, 2026, to gather stakeholder feedback on the proposed approach. The alignment is expected to be implemented by mid-2027, marking a significant regulatory shift toward closer harmonisation with EU SPS frameworks.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-eu-sps-agreement-legislation-in-scope
🔘 U.S. FDA Holds Public Meeting on Scope of Dietary Supplement Ingredients
On March 27, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) held a public meeting titled "Exploring the Scope of Dietary Supplement Ingredients." This event was organized by the FDA's Human Foods Program and Office of Dietary Supplement Programs and was available both in person and virtually. The purpose of the meeting was to gather stakeholder input to help inform FDA's interpretation and future regulatory approach regarding what constitutes a dietary ingredient under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994.
The discussions at the meeting focused on:
The meaning and scope of the DSHEA definition of "dietary substance for use by humans to supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake," particularly in the context of evolving science and ingredient types.
How emerging production methods (including new technologies) relate to the regulatory framework for dietary ingredients.
The classification and evaluation of specific ingredient categories, such as proteins, enzymes, and microorganisms, under the existing statutory definition.
The FDA also invited comments from the public and stakeholders on these topics through the official docket (FDA-2026-N-2047), with submissions accepted through April 27, 2026.
🔘 Indonesia Revises Microbial Limits for Processed Foods
The Indonesian National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) issued Regulation No. 3 of 2026, amending Regulation No. 13 of 2019 on maximum microbial contamination limits for processed foods. The new regulation came into effect on March 26, 2026.
Key updates include:
Establishment of maximum microbial limits for newly defined food categories
Revision of contamination parameters for existing processed food categories
Food exporters to Indonesia are advised to review the updated requirements and ensure compliance through appropriate testing and regulatory alignment.
🔘 Thailand FDA Initiates Review of Enzyme List for Food Production
On March 24, 2026, Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) announced a review of Annex 1 of Public Health Ministry Notification No. 443, which lists enzymes permitted for use in food production under the Food Act.
The review will cover approved enzyme types, sources, and conditions of use, including those previously authorized on a case-by-case basis. The Thai FDA is inviting feedback and supporting data from manufacturers and stakeholders, which will be considered in the revision of the final list to ensure regulatory appropriateness and compliance.
Source: https://food.fda.moph.go.th/press-release/draft-enzyme2
🔘 South Korea Proposes Expanded GMO Labeling Requirements
In March 2026, South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) notified the WTO of a draft revision to the GMO Food Labeling Standards. The proposed revision would require GMO labeling even if no genetically modified DNA or protein is detectable in the final product, provided that genetically modified raw materials were used during production.
This would apply to products such as soy sauce, sugars, and edible fats and oils. Under the proposed phased implementation, labeling requirements for soy sauce products would take effect on December 31, 2026, while sugars, edible fats, and oils would be subject to the new rules from December 31, 2027.
Source: https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/TBT/KOR/26_01285_00_x.pdf
*This article is compiled by ZMUni Compliance Center, based on the latest regulatory updates from food-related regulatory authorities/agencies in various countries/regions.
