Frequently Asked Questions on FDA Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) Certification, Vol. 2

On May 9, 2024, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) issued 7 new food-related products for public comments, including 1 new food contact coating, 4 new food contact additives with expanded scope, 1 new food contact resin, and 1 food contact resin with expanded scope.

On May 10, 2024, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) issued 4 new food additives for public comments, including 1 new food enzyme, 2 new food nutrition enhancers, and 1 food nutrition enhancer with expanded scope.

From April 28 to May 5, 2024, the 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 Lemon Myrtle and fructo-oligosaccharide have been accepted.

In order to standardize the procedure for the priority review and approval of registration of food for special medical purpose (FSMP), in accordance with the Administrative Measures for the Registration of Foods for Special Medical Purpose, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has drafted the Procedures for Priority Review and Approval of Registration of Foods For Special Medical Purpose for public feedback. Comments are welcomed before May 30, 2024.

Recently, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) issued the Announcement on Simplifying Consular Authentication Materials for Registration and Filing of Imported Health Foods (hereinafter referred to as the “Announcement”).

To thoroughly implement the current Food Safety Law of the People’s Republic of China, the Administrative Measures on Food Business Licensing and Filing, and to address common concerns regarding food business safety, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has recently revised and issued the General Rules for Food Business Licensing Review (hereinafter referred to as the “General Rules”), which will take into effect from the date of issuance.

On April 30, 2024, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) issued Technical Requirements for Filing of Health Food Raw Materials Ginseng radix et rhizoma, Panacis quinquefolii radix, and Ganoderma (hereinafter referred to as the “Technical Requirements”), implementing a filing management system for health food products using these three ingredients as raw materials.

In accordance with the Healthy China 2030 Plan released by the State Council, China’s booming health industry is projected to reach a market size of 16 trillion yuan by 2030, showing immense potential. In the era of “big health”, new food ingredients are continually emerging, industry regulations and standards undergo constant updates, and emerging fields that integrate traditional and modern technologies such as foods with medical properties, and food ingredients used in cosmetics, are evolving rapidly. As consumer demand steadily rises, the functional food sector stands poised for rapid development.

On April 28, 2024, the China National Center for Food Safety Evaluation (CFSA) issued 2 new food raw materials, Nannochloropsis oil and egg yolk phospholipid and protein for public comments. In addition, rye pollen was approved as a new food raw material in the National Health Commission (NHC) Announcement No. 3 of 2023. Based on the industry data and through the review by the Expert Review Committee, it is now proposed to revise its content requirement of dietary fiber in the announcement to ≥30%. Comments are welcomed before May 28, 2024.