The Food Safety and Standards Authority India (FSSAI) and India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) have officially agreed to collaboratively boost millet consumption at the government level, starting with the nation’s armed forces.
Thailand is the latest Asian market to establish a fully digitalised express customs processing service, which is hoped to greatly accelerate food and beverage import operations at its checkpoints in line with the national Thailand 4.0 strategy.
Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA), which regulates the Foods with Function Claims (FFC) market, is reviewing the methods that companies use to support the science behind their goods, following the recent removal of two products from the market.
Pacific health researchers are starting clinical trials in early 2024 to explore kava as an alternate treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is expanding the types of health supplements applicable for voluntary notification from August 1, 2023, having received “positive participation” since implementing the initiative a year ago.
The South Korean government has released a nutritional information guidance document in line with new labelling and reporting regulations to assist food and beverage manufacturers throughout the initial phase of transition.
Chinese authorities are imposing stricter rules on the infant formula industry, with terms such as “imported raw ingredients” and “imported milk source” banned on all product labelling from October 1, 2023.
The Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced new rules for broccoli seed extract consumption, including limiting the daily dosage to 115mg and prohibiting consumption among pregnant and lactating women.
In our monthly nutra regulatory round-up, we take a closer look at how the Chinese authorities are proposing to ban the use of scientific research reports and clinical evidence for health foods advertisement, concerns around New Zealand’s Therapeutic...
Healthplex Expo and Natural & Nutraceutical Products China 2023
The presence of banned components, fake health claims, and IP infringement are common problems seen in health foods imported into China via cross-border e-commerce (CBEC), and the authorities are urging companies to adhere to general trade rules even...
Both New Zealand’s natural health product industry body and several opposition members of parliament have voiced concerns over the Therapeutic Products Bill, which will regulate natural health products in the country.
South Korean authorities have detected Thai kudzu, a locally banned ingredient, in health functional foods imported from Japan as part of its exercise in tightening the inspection of prohibited ingredients.
China health foods authorities are including soy protein isolate and whey protein to the country’s Health Food Raw Material Directory – Nutrition Supplement, which means that products containing these two ingredients could make specific health claims.
Industry body Natural Health Products New Zealand (NHPNZ) has welcomed changes that the government has made to the Therapeutic Products Bill post public consultation, but believes that more needs to be done, such as changing the product authorisation...
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has proposed new regulations for health foods advertisements, such as banning the use of scientific research reports and clinical evidence.
The Taiwan Food and Drug Authority has officially permitted the use of another genetically modified (GM) bacteria strain – the third one so far – for fermenting human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) 2-fucosyllactose (2’-FL).
Brisbane-based manufacturer and distributor Kava Korp says kava remains limited to the ‘traditional use for Islander consumers,’ and its restrictive standards are inhibiting NPD and awareness.
South Korea is looking to standardise the regulations governing country-of-origin information mandatory to be displayed food and beverages both produced locally and imported into the country, in an attempt to ease high cost burdens highlighted by manufacturers.
The natural health products sector in New Zealand is hoping that lightning doesn’t strike twice and its lengthy campaign for an updated regulatory regime isn’t once again derailed by a forthcoming general election.
In our monthly nutra regulatory round-up, we take a closer look at the health supplement registration trends in Malaysia, warning against excessive vitamin B6 intake in Singapore, South Korea’s plans in setting national guidelines for the personalised...
The number of health supplements registered in Malaysia has been on the rise in recent years, but those classed as natural products, which consist of herbal remedies, has hit five-year low, according to a report released by the country’s health ministry.
Chinese authorities have proposed stricter protein requirements for milk and formulated milk powder products designed for children, adults, and the elderly.
New Zealand’s consumer watchdog has published data showing that 80% of those surveyed had taken a supplement in the last year, but doubts over the regulatory regime and its future persist among industry and consumers.
Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has advised health supplements firms to warn consumers the association between excessive vitamin B6 intake and the risk of developing peripheral neuropathy.
The South Korean authorities are beefing up the nation’s personalised nutrition sector, having selected research institutions and companies in a five-year project to establish guidelines for the flourishing category.
China’s food safety authorities have allowed the use of vitamin B1, B2 in beverages for special purposes, such as sports drinks, while the maximum permitted dosage of taurine has been raised.
The role of governments is crucial to introduce affordable proper nutrition to mass consumers via the fortification of staple foods, particularly in countries with large populations such as India and China.
In our monthly nutra regulatory round-up, we take a closer look at South Korea’s project in curbing excessive caffeine consumption among youngsters, the country’s plans in removing restrictions on protein manufacturing methods, and Indonesia’s new rules...
The South Korean government is working to expand a pilot project warning consumers of excessive caffeine consumption, with a particular focus on children.
South Korea is planning to remove the restrictions on methods in manufacturing protein Health Functional Food, as the sector sees a boom in new production techniques and types of raw materials used.
The Indonesian food safety authority has published a set of strict standards to govern the presence of microorganisms - including probiotics – in general processed foods and beverages such as yoghurt or kombucha.
In our monthly nutra regulatory round-up, we take a closer look at India’s requirements for vegan products and the special enforcement drive on non-compliant nutraceuticals, South Korea’s crackdown on fake health functional foods, and the impact of China’s...
Find out how regulators across APAC are safeguarding dietary supplement and functional food quality, including initiatives from Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and South Korea’s...
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) is implementing stringent new rules on the advertising of health foods, Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMPs), and medical devices from May this year.
South Korea is piloting a QR code program that provides consumers with information on the ingredients and traceability of products such as infant formula, fruit juice, and noodles.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has assured food firms dealing in ‘vegan by default’ products that they do not need to have the new national vegan logo displayed on their products and need not undergo the certification process...
Sports nutrition and vitamins form the majority of illegal supplements sold on third-party e-commerce sites in Australia, industry body Complementary Medicines Australia (CMA) has revealed.
Taiwanese officials have confirmed that supplements making dental health claims will no longer need to undertake animal studies, and new changes have also been made to human clinical trial requirements.
The South Korean government has announced a new food imports plan to be enforced in 2023 which will involve the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve its monitoring and inspections processes.
India’s food and nutraceutical regulator is ordering a special enforcement drive to curb the flow of non-compliant products, such as those exceeding the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) nutrient levels, containing ingredients that are not permitted, and...
There can be lack of knowledge in the functions and scientific evidence of nutraceuticals across India’s health supplements sector, says an industry advocacy group which is hoping to resolve the problem with the launch of a compendium.
Complementary Medicines Australia (CMA), the industry body for the nutraceutical sector in Australia, says it does not support the proposal of paying for the regulator’s new building and digital transformation program.
In our monthly nutra regulatory round-up, we take a closer look at Hong Kong CBD ban, China’s plans in mass fortification of food staples, Singapore’s launch of food safety standards for online businesses and more.
The recent official ban of cannabidiol in foods, supplements, and any other products in Hong Kong has been attributed to the difficulty in controlling tetrahydrocannabinol – the psychoactive component in cannabis.
The Thai government will be ramping up the export of Andrographis, turmeric, and Thai black ginger into the neighbouring South East Asian markets for use in both herbal medicines and topical applications.
The Shanghai Consumer Council has called for authorities to be “more responsible for consumers” due to what it claims is inadequate regulation for function claims in food and beverage products containing hyaluronic acid.
South Korean authorities have mandated nutrition supplements for the elderly aged 65 and above, as well as six functional raw materials used in Health Functional Foods, to come with country-of-origin labelling.