According to the information recently released by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), the number of foods for special medical purposes (FSMP) products approved in China has reached 140. Companies must register FSMP products with the SAMR, and it is applicable to both foreign and domestic products sold in China. As of September 20, 46 new FSMP Products have been approved for use in 2023, covering 23 nutritionally complete foods, 18 nutritionally incomplete foods, and five infant formulas for special medical purposes.

On August 28, 2023, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) issued the Detailed Rules for Technical Evaluation of New Functions and Products of Health Food (Trial) (hereinafter referred to as the Detailed Rules), which takes effect on the day of publication. The Detailed Rules serve as the supplementary document of the Administrative Measures on Health Food Raw Materials Directory and Function Directory, providing more comprehensive requirements for the application of health food new functions and products. Enterprises can now refer to the Detailed Rules for a clear understanding of the application processes, dossier, and testing requirements. This marks a significant shift where health functions will no longer be confined to the current 24 functions outlined in the Directory of Health Functions Available to Be Claimed for Health Food – Non-nutrition Supplements (2023 Version), and a broader range of new health functions are expected to be included in the Directory of Health Food Functions.

On August 11, 2023, the European Commission released the Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1627, amending Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 by adding bis(2-ethylhexyl)cyclohexane-1,4-dicarboxylate (FCM No 1079) into the authorized substance list for food contact plastic materials.

EU 2023/1442 amending Annex I to Regulation (EU) No.10/2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food was published on July 11, 2023.

The Technical Specifications for Testing and Evaluation of Health Food (2003 Version) was abolished in July 2018. After five years, on August 31, 2023, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) finally released the Directory of Health Functions Available to be Claimed by Health Food – Non-nutrition Supplements (2023 Version) and the supporting documents, including the long-awaited health food function evaluation methods.