On May 13, 2025, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) issued 2 new food related products for public comments. Comments are welcomed before June 12, 2025.

On March 27, 2025, China’s National Health Commission (NHC) officially issued 50 new national food safety standards, with six standards related to food contact materials (FCM) drawing significant industry attention. The updates include one amendment to the Standards for the Use of Additives in Food Contact Materials and Products (GB 9685-2016) and five revised testing method standards under the GB 31604 series. These changes aim to strengthen the safety management of FCMs and safeguard consumer health.

CIRS Testing is to host a free webinar on the Updated Overview and Analysis of Chinese Food Contact Material Standards on March 27, 2025 at 9:30 (EST). This session offers an in-depth look at the latest developments in the regulatory framework and standards for food contact materials in China. It is crucial for manufacturers, regulators, and industry stakeholders who need to stay updated with Chinese standards to ensure compliance. Whether you work in production or regulatory roles, this webinar will offer essential insights into effectively managing the complexities of food contact materials in China.

On March 20, 2025, three new food-related products, including Ammonium salt of dodecanoic acid, Hexanedioic acid, polymer with2-ethyl-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol and 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane are hereby invited to give their opinions publicly. Please send your written comments before Apr. 19, 2025, and if you do not send your comments before the deadline, it will be regarded as no different opinions.

On January 7, 2025, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) issued 4 new food-related materials for public comments, including: 3 food additive with expanded scope; and 1 new resins for food contact materials.

On May 9, 2024, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) issued 7 new food-related products for public comments, including 1 new food contact coating, 4 new food contact additives with expanded scope, 1 new food contact resin, and 1 food contact resin with expanded scope.

On March 13, 2024, the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China (NHC) issued an announcement (No. 2 of 2024) on the approval of 23 “Three New Foods”, including 6 new food raw materials, 12 new food additives, and 5 new food-related products.

On Feb 9, 2024, the European Commission proposed a new draft aimed at amending the existing regulations on food contact materials (FCMs), involving a ban on bisphenol A (BPA) and its derivatives. The draft amends (EU) No 10/2011 and (EC) No 1895/2005, and repeals (EU) 2018/213. Bisphenol A (BPA), known as 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenylpropane (CAS No: 80-05-7), is a monomer or starting substance widely used in the manufacture of polycarbonate, polysulfone, epoxy resins, and other resins. It is extensively used in plastics, varnish coatings, inks, adhesives, and rubbers.

In 2023, the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China (NHC) issued five announcements (No. 1 of 2023, No. 3 of 2023, No. 5 of 2023, No. 8 of 2023, No. 10 of 2023) regarding “Three New Foods”, approving a total of 74 products. Among these, 29 are new food-related products, including those with an expanded use. Furthermore, according to the official website of NHC and the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA), throughout 2023: 31 applications for new food-related products were officially accepted; 16 new food-related products were issued for public comments (including those with expanded scope of use); and 19 new food-related products accepted in 2021, 2022 and 2023 were issued a rejection decision.

On November 23, 2023, we hosted a free webinar on the changes in the new standards for China food contact materials and articles food enterprises’ response. The playback of the webinar is now available. If you missed this webinar you can watch it free by following the link here. Many questions were raised during the webinar. We have collected the questions and made a Q&A summary as follows: