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On March 12, 2024, China's National Health Commission (NHC) published a batch of new Food Safety National Standards, including the GB 4806.15-2024 for adhesives used in food-contact materials and articles (“Adhesives Standard”). The authority spent almost 10 years to develop this new standard since it was included in the 2014 Plan for Food Safety National Standards. The Adhesives Standard will become effective on February 8, 2025.

On January 3, 2024, the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) solicited comments on four food-contact materials and articles: two new additives and two new resins. Comments are due by January 21, 2024.

New Food-Contact Additives

On December 11, 2023, China’s National Health Commission (NHC) published a draft amendment of GB 4806.10 on food-contact coatings and coating layers (Draft Amendment), along with other draft standards for various food, food additives, other food-contact materials, and testing methods. 

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) published the final version (in Japanese) of the reorganized positive list (PL) on November 30, 2023. This final version will take effect on June 1, 2025.

On December 1, 2023, National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China (NHC) approved one new food-contact additive, one new resin, and expanded usage for two food-contact materials. The substances and specifications are listed below.

Expanded Usage for Food-Contact Materials

On November 3, 2023, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) solicited comments on one resin. The resin is Undecanoic acid, 11-amino-, homopolymer (CAS No. 25587-80-8), which is to be cleared for use in plastics. The specific migration level (SML) is 5 mg/kg for 11-amino undecanoic acid and the maximum use level is the necessary dosage. Plastic materials and articles containing this substance may not contact food with an alcohol content above 50%. In addition, the use temperature may not exceed 100°C. The time period for contacting food may not exceed one hour.

On September 25, 2023, China’s National Health Commission (NHC) published 85 National Food Safety Standards for food, food additives, food-related products, and various testing methods. Below is a brief summary of the key food-contact standards, including one of migration testing.

On October 7, 2023, China’s National Health Commission (NHC) approved expanded usage for three food-contact materials and two new resins. The substances and specifications are listed below.

Expanded Usage Food-Contact Materials

Japan’s Positive List (PL) of synthetic resins for food utensils, containers, and packaging (UCP) is expected to be fully implemented from June 1, 2025. The public was invited to submit comments in Japanese on the latest draft revisions to the positive list between August 4 and September 3, 2023. The Food Sanitation Subcommittee of the Pharmaceutical Affairs and Food Sanitation Council organized under Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) currently are reviewing the comments that were received.

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