Recently, China's National Health Commission (NHC) issued notifications regarding the approval and review of “Three new foods” (new food raw materials, new food additives, and new food-related products).

MEE Order 12 - the Measures for the Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances (also known as China REACH) – is undergoing a new round of systematic revisions, including taking products such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, cosmetics, food, food additives, feed, feed additives, and fertilizers that were already regulated by relevant regulations into the scope of new substances registration.

Recently, Chin’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) updated the Feed Materials Catalogue and the requirements for safe use. The Ministry approved one new feed material, five new feed additives, and the expanded scope of application for one feed additive.

China NHC issued notifications regarding the acceptance of “three new foods”. The applications for 10 new food materials, 21 new food additives and 1 new food-related products have been received.

Recently, Enhe Aiju (Hangzhou) Science and Technology Co., Ltd. (Enhe Aiju) has completed the FDA GRAS notice for its self-developed zeaxanthin, produced via fermentation using production strain Yarrowia lipolytica CGMCC 39021 (GRN No. 1300). This is the world’s first high-concentration crystalline zeaxanthin product manufactured at commercial scale using cell factory technology to receive GRAS, fully under the support of CIRS Group.

California AB 660 takes effect July 1, 2026, requiring all packaged food products sold in California to use standardized quality date and safety date labels. “Sell by” dates will be prohibited on consumer-facing packaging, with a narrow exception for coded dates used solely for inventory management purposes. Companies that manufacture, distribute, or sell packaged food products in California should act now to avoid potential penalties and litigation risk. CIRS has summarized the two key changes to California’s food date labeling rules.

On May 27, 2026, National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China (NHC) issued an announcement (No. 2 of 2026) for “Three New Foods” with 16 products approved, including 7 new food raw materials and 7 new food additives.

Recently, the European Commission’s novel food status has updated the information regarding S-adenosyl-L-methionine disulfate tosylate (also referred to as Sadenosyl-L-methionine disulfate p-toluenesulfonate). According to the latest novel food status, this ingredient has now been recognized as a novel food.

Recently, CIRS Group has received numerous inquiries from health food companies regarding the registration of overseas manufacturing enterprises in China. Many companies have reported that when applying to the General Administration of Customs for registration in China, they are required to submit the registration certificate/filing certificate for health food; some companies have also reported that health foods imported through cross-border e-commerce are also required by customs to submit the registration certificate in China. In response to this question, CIRS Group has conducted extensive verification

In the US, products similar to health foods are referred to as dietary supplements. Compared to health foods in China, there are significant differences in the naming, marketing requirements in America. To help companies better understand the compliance requirements for dietary supplements in the US, CIRS Group has summarized the relevant regulations for reference.