Regulatory review: Thailand's hemp, CBD, and fish oil developments in focus

30-Apr-2021 - Last updated on 30-Apr-2021 at 01:03 GMT

See new regulatory developments in the nutraceutical space in Thailand, South Korea, and China. ©Getty Images

In this round-up of new regulatory developments, we look at hemp, CBD, and fish oil related regulatory changes in Thailand, as well as how South Korean and Chinese authorities are coping with non-compliant products.

Thailand fish oil standards: Firms have two-year transition period to meet new composition and production processes

Thai authorities have introduced new standards for fish oil based on the existing CODEX guidelines, where products will need to adhere to specific fatty acid compositions and production process.

Manufacturers and importers having two years to adopt the new specifications.

For example, at least 50 per cent of the fatty acids in concentrated and highly concentrated fish oil should be EPA and DHA in the form of triglycerides and or phospholipids.

Non-compliant probiotics: South Korean authorities order four products to be removed from shelves

South Korean authorities have ordered the withdrawal of four imported probiotics after these products repeatedly failed inspection tests.

The products are 1) PB5000 Power Gold Plus from US Pharmatech imported by Mirae Bio, 2) Probiotics 10 Billion from Prime Health, and 3) two batches of capsules from Life Bloom and imported by Jinseong Holdings.

Other than Prime Health, which is from Canada, the other two overseas manufacturers are from the US.

Infant formula standards: Experts issue NPD advice as China releases new requirements on calories, protein, micronutrients

China authorities have introduced new requirements on calories, protein, carbohydrates, and micronutrient levels permitted in infant and toddler formulas, sparking industry experts to recommend that all NPD quickly switches to the new protocols.

Companies are given a two-year transition period to conform to the new standards.

China’s National Health Commission (NHC) released new requirements made to milk formulas and foods for infants (0-6 months old; stage one formula), older infants (7-12 months old; stage two formula), and toddlers (13-36 months old; stage three formula) in mid-March.

Hemp and CBD in Thailand: Food and supplement companies rush into NPD as FDA approves draft regulation

A number of Thai companies, including CP Foods and DOD Biotech, have stated their intentions in developing new food, supplement and beverages containing hemp, as new regulatory developments unfold in the country.

For CP Group, its subsidiary CP Foods and Maejo University will partner in developing hemp-based ready-made foods, which are expected to be launched this year.

Using hemp from a traceable supply chain is also part of their plan in ensuring food safety.

Health foods litigation in China: Unregulated influencer marketing and fake goods spur nearly 1000 actions

A total of 964 cases of public interest litigation has been filed against individuals and companies for the illegal production, marketing and sales of health foods in China in the last 15 months.

Examples of the cases included general foods making health and therapeutic claims by influencer marketing, as well as illegal production of fake supplements using ingredients imported from the US.

Persons involved have since been charged and prosecuted under criminal law. Certain cases also involved civil lawsuits.