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The government of Vietnam recently issued Circular 13/2014, outlining the responsibilities of three ministries with respect to food safety. Responsibilities for food packaging are also divided among the three ministries, according to a translation of the Circular by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). (The translation can be found in USDA GAIN Report Number VM4029.)

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has extended the effective date for compliance with the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labeling) Regulations, 2011 to July 1, 2014. These Regulations were initially scheduled to become effective on August 5, 2011, however, FSSAI has granted several extensions since that time.

China's National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) recently issued several new and expanded clearances for food-contact materials in China. Specifically, NHFCP's Announcement No. 8 (2013) approved four new additives and one new resin for use in food packaging, and expanded clearances for three other additives for food packaging. The chemical substances referenced in the Announcement are listed below.

 

 

The Malaysian Ministry of Health announced that a Health Certificate will be required for imported ceramic ware intended to be used in the preparation, packaging, storage, and delivery of food or otherwise exposed to food for human consumption effective January 1, 2014. The Health Certificate must be issued by a competent authority of the exporting country and be made available to the authorized health officer at the point of entry to Malaysia, upon request.

The Legislative Affairs Office of China's State Council published on October 29, 2013, draft revisions to Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China (Draft) and requested comments on the draft proposal by November 29, 2013. Overall, the draft reflects a trend in strengthening the regulation of food and food-related products (e.g., food additives and food packaging materials) in China and incorporates new provisions that are now contained in various food regulations.

China's National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC), formerly known as the Ministry of Health (MOH), has issued the final approvals for food packaging materials petitioned under the country's "clean-up" procedures. The "clean-up" procedures allowed manufacturers of unapproved food packaging materials to file petitions prior to June 1, 2010, seeking an appropriate clearance.

The Chinese government approved a restructuring plan on March 14, 2013, which will result in extensive changes to China's regulatory agencies responsible for food and food packaging. A goal of the restructuring plan is to streamline food regulatory matters.

The Chinese Ministry of Health (MOH) published on its website, on November 16, 2012, the third and final batch of draft approvals for food packaging materials petitioned under the "clean-up" procedures. The "clean-up" procedures allowed manufacturers of unapproved food packaging materials to file petitions seeking an appropriate clearance. For example, many companies filed petitions to clear additives that were not the subject of an approval for their intended use under China's Hygienic Standard for Additives in Food Containers and Packaging Materials (GB 9685-2008).

Japan notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) on July 16, 2012, about new proposed standards concerning the use of recycled paper in utensils and food packaging. The standards are based on a guidance document published by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW) on April 27, 2012. The recycled paper guidance ("Guidelines Related to Recycled Paper in Utensils and Food Packaging") sets out basic requirements for ensuring the safety of recycled paper intended for use in utensils and food packaging.

The Chinese Ministry of Health (MOH) issued its Management Rules for the Administrative Approval of New Varieties of Food Related Products (the Rules) on June 1, 2011. The Rules set out procedures and requirements for the submission of petitions to clear the use of resins and additives in food packaging materials. The MOH has also released an accompanying guidance (Guidance), which details data requirements not specified in the Rules.