Recently, China's National Health Commission (NHC) Government Services Platform 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 an extension notice for 12 new food-related products, a notification of a review opinion for 5 new food additive and 7 new food-related product, and 4 non-approval decision.

Last week, China’s National Health Commission (NHC) Government Services Platform issued notifications regarding the acceptance of “three new foods” (new food raw materials, new food additives, and new food-related products). The applications for two new food additive have been accepted.

On October 11, 2024, the State Administration of Market Supervision (SAMSAR) issued the ‘Dosage Forms and Technical Requirements for Health Food Products for Record (2024 Edition) (Draft for Opinion)’ and the ‘Regulations on Usable Excipients and Their Usage for Health Food Products for Record (2024 Edition) (Draft for Opinion)’ for public consultation, and the deadline for feedback is November 10, 2024, for the society.

On October 10, National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China (NHC) issued an announcement (No. 5 of 2024) for “Three New Foods” with 12 products approved, including 2 new food raw materials, 4 new food additives, and 6 food-related products.

According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Official Journal of the European Union, in the third quarter of 2024, EFSA published assessment results for two Novel Foods (NF), including two new NF application.In addition, the EU approved ten NF in the third quarter of 2024, including amendments to the specifications and conditions of use of five already authorized NF.

On September 13, 2024, the National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) issued the Requirements for Declaration Materials for Safety Evaluation of Genetically Modified Microorganisms for Food Processing (Trial) (hereinafter referred to as the Requirements for Declaration Materials (Trial), which indicates that new products produced by microorganisms modified by genetic engineering technology have been fully open for declaration of the three new food products (including new food raw materials, new varieties of food additives and new varieties of food-related products). (including new food raw materials, new varieties of food additives and new varieties of food-related products).

On September 26, 2024, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) issued 11 new food additives for public comments, including 5 new food additives, 3 new food nutrition enhancers, 2 food additive with expanded scope and 1 food nutrition enhancer with expanded scope. Comments are welcomed before October 26, 2024.

On September 20, 2024, CIRS China made a major breakthrough in the field of food contact materials regulations by successfully obtaining the formal approval of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a US Food Contact Substance Notification (FCN). This achievement not only demonstrates CIRS's professional strength in the field of food contact materials, but also paves the way for the company to explore the international market.

On September 13, 2024, the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) released the Requirements for Safety Assessment Application Materials for Genetically Modified Microorganisms Used in Food Processing (Trial). This signifies that new products produced using genetically engineered microorganisms are no longer limited to the “food additive” category. Instead, the application pathway has fully opened for “three new foods,” including new food ingredients, new food additives, and new food-related products.

From our years of regulatory compliance experience, we’ve translated a selection of some frequently asked questions on food for special medical purpose (FSMP) to help you gain a clearer understanding of the current requirements in China.