Firstly, D-psicose is the first new food ingredient in China to involve genetically modified microorganisms in its production process. This approval signals a positive trend in the development of synthetic biology in the food ingredient industry. Secondly, as a highly anticipated strategic sweetener, its approval will quickly open up the domestic market and significantly enrich product formula options.

On July 2, 2025, National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China (NHC) issued an announcement (No. 4 of 2025) for “Three New Foods” with 20 products approved, including 5 new food raw materials, 9 new food additives, and 6 food-related products.

In order to help enterprises better understand the filing status of health food (dietary supplements) in China, CIRS has gathered statistics on health foods approved in 2025 (as of June 30) and analyzed them from multiple perspectives.

Chinese health food (dietary supplement) industry is undergoing a transitional phase, characterized by stricter product approval and stronger regulatory supervision. According to the information released by the Center for Food Evaluation, State Administration for Market Regulation and the Special Food Information Query Platform, in the first half of 2025, the SAMR issued a total of 858 health food registration approvals, 116 of which are new health food products.

Styrene is a chemical used in the production of plastic materials and items. In the EU, it is authorised for use in food packaging that is in direct contact with food.

GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) means that a substance is generally recognized as safe. If a substance is recognized as safe under its intended use, it is classified as GRAS and can be exempted from pre-market approval procedures required by U.S. law. As a key basis for recognizing new food ingredients in the United States, FDA GRAS notifications remain active. After nearly three months without updates, the FDA recently made a significant update to the FDA GRAS list, with the most recent update as of June 10, 2025.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (Minister Oh Yoo-kyung) announced on June 18 that it will make an administrative announcement of the revised "Standards for Temporary Standards and Specifications for Foods, etc.", which includes contents such as easing submission requirements when applying for temporary standard/specification recognition of new food additives. The updated food additive regulations aim to streamline toxicity data requirements and approval procedures by recognizing international safety assessments and introducing phased testing and expedited modification pathways – reducing costs and aligning with global standards. Opinions on the revised (draft) can be submitted until August 18, 2025.

Fermented rapeseed cake has been approved for use in food products in the EU, expanding the high-protein byproduct’s application beyond animal feed and biogas. Rapeseed cake, a byproduct of oil extraction, is rich in protein (28 to 30%) but was previously deemed unsuitable for human consumption owing to the presence of bitter-tasting glucosinolates.

A new Texas bill targeting controversial food additives could require warning labels on popular snacks, potentially reshaping ingredient labelling across the US.

Recently, China's National Health Commission (NHC) issued notifications regarding the approval and review of “Thee new foods” (new food raw materials, new food additives, and new food-related products). The notifications included: Five notifications of extension notice; one notification of review opinions.