On August 1, 2023, China’s National Health Commission (NHC) approved expanded usage for two food-contact materials and one new resin. The substances and specifications are listed below.
Expanded Usage Food-Contact Materials
On June 28, 2023, the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) requested comments on four food-contact materials and articles: two are for expanded use, one is a new additive, and one is a new resin. Comments are due by July 24, 2023.
Food-Contact Additives with Expanded Use
On April 19, 2023, the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) published on its website a draft amendment to the GB 4806.1 National Food Safety Standard on the General Safety Requirements for Food-Contact Materials and Articles (Draft Standard). This is the first proposed amendment to the GB 4806.1-2016 Standard, which took effect in 2017. Once finalized, the updated GB 4806.1 Standard will impact industry compliance with China’s food-contact material (FCM) regulations.
On May 6, 2023, China National Health Commission (NHC) approved one new food-contact additive and five new resins. The substances and specifications are listed below.
New Food-Contact Additive
On April 25, 2023, the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) requested comments on expanded use for three food-contact materials and articles and two new resins. Comments are due by May 24, 2023. The substances and specifications are listed below.
Food-Contact Materials with Expanded Use
The China National Food Industry Association (CNFIA) has issued voluntary group standards on Declaration of Compliances (DoCs) for food-contact materials (FCMs). CNFIA was founded as a self-disciplinary management organization for China’s food industry in 1981.
On March 2, 2023, China National Health Commission (NHC) approved three new food-contact additives, expanded usage for four food-contact additives, three new resins, and expanded usage for one resin.
New Food-Contact Additives
On March 15, 2023, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) solicited comments on 3 food-contact materials and articles. The substances and specifications are listed below.
New draft Tables 1 and 2 of the Japanese Positive List have been posted on Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW) website.
On February 13, 2023, China National Health Commission (NHC) released a draft amendment[1] of GB 9685-2016 Standard for Uses of Additives in Food Contact Materials and Articles for public comments. Main revisions of GB 9685-2016 are within three annexes, including Annex A, B, and D, which are summarized as follows.