Australia will renew the export sanitary and phytosanitary certificate

On February 17, 2021, Australia notified the WTO of the draft directive (G/SPS/N/AUS/515) on the renewal of export sanitary and phytosanitary certificates. The main updates are as follows: 1. As of March 28, 2021, all sanitary and phytosanitary certificates issued by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment that mention the year of the Export Control Act (currently 1982) will be deleted. 2. The name of the department under the Australian Government badge is updated to "Australian Government", unless the plant certificate and the importing country clearly require the name of the competent authority to appear on the certificate 3. Delete the signature of the Chief Veterinary Officer in all electronically issued meat, dairy products, eggs, non-regulated commodities and seafood hygiene certificates, and replace them with the signature of the National Veterinary Technology Manager (Dr. Stewart Lowden). The sanitary certificate applied for manual signature will continue to be signed and stamped by the department official authorized to sign the export sanitary certificate. 4. The signatory of the quarantine certificates for live animals, reproductive materials, grains, seeds and horticultural plants remains unchanged, and the “Authorised Officer” of the plant export certificate is updated to “delegate”. The changes in the plan will not affect the agreed market access certificate, the department’s export supervision or the detailed information of the goods described on the bilaterally agreed certificate. The renewal certificate will be issued in March 2021, and the renewed plant certificate will be issued on March 15, 2021. There is a short transition period during which the old and new certificates can be presented to border officials for customs clearance. For details, please refer to: http://spsims.wto.org/en/RegularNotifications/View/170442?FromAllNotifications=True  Please note: This article is translated based on Google web translation software, if there is an error, please contact us as soon as possible to correct. Business Division of Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance of Global Foodmate provides food standards & regulations research, labelling compliance consulting/Chinese label design, industry public opinion monitoring and analysis, registration services (of Infant formula, FSMP, Health food, Novel Food Ingredients, Novel Food Additives, New Varieties of Food-Related Products and Overseas manufacturers of imported food) and other comprehensive food safety solutions for domestic and overseas enterprises and institutions in food industry.  Please feel free to contact us: +86 10 68869850, E-mail: global_info@foodmate.net

Thailand’s policy of “unlocking cannabis” used in food should also fully consider protecting consumer rights

On February 21, 2021, food scholar Monruedee of the Thai Consumer Foundation stated that the Thai Food and Drug Administration recently issued a policy of "unlocking cannabis" for use in food, and that full consideration should be given to protecting the rights of consumers. The food scholar Monruedee of the Thai Consumer Foundation continued to say that the safety data of the bark, trunk, branches and roots of the plant hemp has shown that it is not currently used in food, but how to use hemp leaves for cooking food or as food There is little information on fragrances, and there are still greater risks in controlling the amount of use. The THC and CBD contained in hemp leaves are soluble in fatty foods and can also be absorbed into the blood through the digestive system. Therefore, there may be side effects after eating foods that use hemp leaves, and there is a greater risk for consumer safety. Even Supatra, Deputy Secretary-General of the Food and Drug Administration of Thailand, also stated that hemp leaves contain other substances, such as terpene (Terpene), which can affect the sensitivity of different groups of people. Small amounts of hemp leaves should be used in food. For certain consumer groups, such as: people with congenital diseases, infants, children, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, especially heart disease patients, must avoid eating foods that use hemp leaves. Monruedee, a food scholar at the Thai Consumer Foundation, added that the current problems with foods that use hemp leaves are: What kind of information should Thai restaurants and beverage shops provide consumers? Are consumers sufficiently aware of the risks and side effects of eating foods that use hemp leaves? Where and how to display consumer warnings? Consumer age? Operator responsibility? And how to supervise, control and punish non-compliant businessmen? The food scholar Monruedee of the Thai Consumer Foundation finally stated that the Thai Food Commission and the Thai Food and Drug Administration still need to thoroughly consider the above-mentioned issues and should fully protect the rights and interests of consumers. When selling foods that use hemp leaves, consumers should be provided with sufficient and guaranteed information so that consumers can decide whether to consume it or whether to consume it every day.  Please note: This article is translated based on Google web translation software, if there is an error, please contact us as soon as possible to correct. Business Division of Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance of Global Foodmate provides food standards & regulations research, labelling compliance consulting/Chinese label design, industry public opinion monitoring and analysis, registration services (of Infant formula, FSMP, Health food, Novel Food Ingredients, Novel Food Additives, New Varieties of Food-Related Products and Overseas manufacturers of imported food) and other comprehensive food safety solutions for domestic and overseas enterprises and institutions in food industry.  Please feel free to contact us: +86 10 68869850, E-mail: global_info@foodmate.net

Alert! For the first time in the world, humans have been infected with this virus!

On the 20th, Popova, director of the Russian Federation’s Consumer Rights Protection and Public Welfare Supervision Agency, said that 7 people in Russia were confirmed to be infected with the H5N8 avian influenza virus. This is the first time that humans have been infected with the avian influenza virus in the world. Popova said on the same day that in December last year, an avian influenza outbreak broke out in a farm in southern Russia. Experts from the Russian "Vector" National Science Center isolated genetic material of the bird flu virus from seven employees of the farm. Popova, Director of the Consumer Protection and Public Welfare Supervision Bureau of the Russian Federation: The Russian Federation has confirmed a case of human infection with the H5N8 virus. Experts from the "Vector" National Science Center isolated the H5N8 virus from 7 employees in a farm Genetic material. Popova said, "This is the world's first human infection with the H5N8 avian influenza virus." She also said that Russia has immediately taken relevant necessary measures. Seven infected people have mild symptoms, and human-to-human transmission has not been found, but it is not ruled out that the virus will mutate and cause human-to-human transmission in the future. It is understood that the H5N8 avian influenza virus is a highly contagious virus that spreads among poultry. In recent months, H5N8 avian influenza outbreaks have occurred in many places around the world, causing a large number of deaths of poultry and wild birds. However, since the H5N8 avian influenza virus was first discovered in 2014, no cases of human infection with this virus have been found.  Please note: This article is translated based on Google web translation software, if there is an error, please contact us as soon as possible to correct. Business Division of Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance of Global Foodmate provides food standards & regulations research, labelling compliance consulting/Chinese label design, industry public opinion monitoring and analysis, registration services (of Infant formula, FSMP, Health food, Novel Food Ingredients, Novel Food Additives, New Varieties of Food-Related Products and Overseas manufacturers of imported food) and other comprehensive food safety solutions for domestic and overseas enterprises and institutions in food industry.  Please feel free to contact us: +86 10 68869850, E-mail: global_info@foodmate.net

FDA Response to Questions About Levels of Toxic Elements in Baby Food, Following Congressional Report

The FDA takes exposure to toxic elements in the food supply extremely seriously, especially when it comes to protecting the health and safety of the youngest and most vulnerable in the population. Toxic elements, such as arsenic and lead, are present in the environment and may enter the food supply through soil, water or air. Because these elements occur in the environment, currently they cannot be completely avoided in the fruits, vegetables, or grains that are the basis for baby foods, juices, and infant cereals made by companies or by consumers who make their own foods. They also cannot be completely avoided by using organic farming practices. Our goal is to reduce exposure to toxic elements in foods to the greatest extent feasible and to further advance progress in this area through more research and enhanced collaboration among stakeholders. FDA regulations and monitoring help to ensure the safety of baby foods sold or manufactured in the United States. While the report released on February 4, 2021 by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy raises important questions on what more can be done to reduce toxic elements in baby foods, the FDA has been actively working on this issue using a risk-based approach to prioritize and target the agency’s efforts. Consumers should know that FDA scientists routinely monitor levels of toxic elements in baby foods, along with other foods consumed in the country’s diet, through the Total Diet Study. Further, the FDA also monitors baby food under the FDA’s compliance program for Toxic Elements in Food and Foodware, and Radionuclides in Food and through targeted sampling assignments. When toxic elements in food present a potential health concern, the FDA takes steps to reduce levels, such as using science to set action levels, making data public, and working with industry on identifying effective mitigation strategies. For example, FDA sampling of infant rice cereal since 2011 has shown that manufacturers have made significant progress in reducing arsenic in infant rice cereal products through selective sourcing and testing of rice and rice-derived ingredients (e.g., rice flour). This progress has been advanced by the FDA through final guidance to industry on action levels. Because of these efforts, infant rice cereal on the market now is safer than it was a decade ago and we expect that by using emerging science and good manufacturing practices companies will continue to reduce levels of arsenic in infant rice cereal. Firms and individuals who manufacture or sell food have a legal responsibility under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to ensure the safety of their products. The FDA reviews information and takes action on a case-by-case basis. If the FDA finds that a product violates the law, the agency takes steps to stop the product from being imported, takes court action to stop its sale or recalls it if it is in the domestic market. For example, on January 15, 2021 the FDA ordered a U.S. company that had been put under court order for distributing adulterated food to stop distributing adulterated juice products containing potentially harmful levels of the toxic element inorganic arsenic and the mycotoxin patulin, until the company complies with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and other requirements in the court order. The FDA has also worked with several manufacturers whose products contained elevated levels of toxic elements, to remove them from the market. In addition, between 2019-2020, approximately 65 import actions kept products with potentially elevated levels of toxic elements from entering the U.S. The FDA currently has multiple ongoing import alerts for toxic elements in food, including for arsenic in fruit juice, bottled water and dietary supplement products and for lead in candy, dried fruits, spices, dietary supplements, and other foods. The FDA is continuing to work to ensure both domestic and imported foods meet the same standards for toxic elements. For example, FDA scientists help ensure there are internationally-recognized standards to reduce the levels of toxic elements in foods by participating in Codex Alimentarius, an international food standard setting body of the Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization. As part of FDA’s work at Codex, our scientists have been instrumental in setting maximum levels and establishing codes of practices for toxic elements including lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. Levels set by Codex, although not binding, can inform our regulatory decisions. FDA provides consumers with actionable advice to limit exposure to toxic elements from food. For example, consistent with the Congressional report’s recommendations, the FDA has communicated advice about the importance of feeding infants a variety of grain-based infant cereals. Rice cereal fortified with iron is a good source of nutrients for infants, but it shouldn’t be the only source and does not need to be the first one. The FDA will continue working with our federal partners, industry and consumer and health advocates on our shared goal of reducing consumer exposure to toxic elements from food.  Business Division of Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance of Global Foodmate provides food standards & regulations research, labelling compliance consulting/Chinese label design, industry public opinion monitoring and analysis, registration services (of Infant formula, FSMP, Health food, Novel Food Ingredients, Novel Food Additives, New Varieties of Food-Related Products and Overseas manufacturers of imported food) and other comprehensive food safety solutions for domestic and overseas enterprises and institutions in food industry.  Please feel free to contact us: +86 10 68869850, E-mail: global_info@foodmate.net

South Korea strengthens non-contact on-site inspections of imported food during COVID-19

On February 19, Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) announced that due to the continuous spread of COVID-19, South Korea has encountered difficulties in on-site inspections of overseas production companies (factories). Therefore, South Korea has decided to further strengthen non-contact document inspections. The government will introduce cutting-edge equipment such as smart glasses for remote on-site inspections to enhance timeliness. Smart glasses: It is a kind of glasses that is equipped with optical lenses for sending images and a micro-display for receiving images, and real-time viewing of live images. Inspection object: Analyze import status and hazard information, etc. ▲Inspection of import and circulation substandard enterprises ▲Inspection of domestic and foreign risk information related enterprises ▲Enterprises that have not submitted documents in 2020 Inspection ▲Inspection of manufacturers of special sanitary management products ▲Registration inspection of excellent import enterprises, etc. Inspection method: Conduct document review on the information that can obtain the self-inspection results of the operator and confirm the sanitation management status of the workplace; when on-site confirmation is required, use smart glasses to remotely confirm the production plant. Please note: This article is translated based on Google web translation software, if there is an error, please contact us as soon as possible to correct. Business Division of Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance of Global Foodmate provides food standards & regulations research, labelling compliance consulting/Chinese label design, industry public opinion monitoring and analysis, registration services (of Infant formula, FSMP, Health food, Novel Food Ingredients, Novel Food Additives, New Varieties of Food-Related Products and Overseas manufacturers of imported food) and other comprehensive food safety solutions for domestic and overseas enterprises and institutions in food industry.  Please feel free to contact us: +86 10 68869850, E-mail: global_info@foodmate.net

US | FDA Moves into Second Phase of AI Imported Seafood Pilot Program

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has launched the second phase of its Artificial Intelligence (AI) imported Seafood Pilot program. The pilot is scheduled to run from February 1, 2021 through July 31, 2021, and the agency does not expect any significant service interruptions to industry and seafood import processers. The pilot is designed to enhance and improve the agency’s ability to quickly and efficiently identify imported seafood products that may pose a threat to public health. This is especially important since the United States imports upwards of 94 percent of its seafood supply. In 2019, the agency launched the first phase of the pilot, an analytical proof of concept, to examine the use of Machine Learning (ML) to target violative seafood shipments. The analysis demonstrated the potential for AI to assist FDA in ensuring the security and safety of the nation’s food supply, specifically imported seafood. Machine learning is a type of AI that makes it possible to rapidly analyze data, automatically identifying connections and patterns in data that people or even the agency’s current rules-based screening system cannot see. As part of the FDA’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety initiative, the agency is undertaking a cross-cutting effort to leverage its use of AI-based technologies. The data from this pilot program will be studied and used to evaluate the utility of AI in support of import targeting, which may ultimately help implement an AI model to target high-risk seafood products. The pilot program will help the agency not only gain valuable experience with new powerful AI-enabled technology but also add to the tools used to determine compliance with regulatory requirements and speed up detection of public health threats. Following completion of the pilot, FDA will communicate on our findings to promote transparency and facilitate dialogue on how new and emerging technologies can be harnessed to solve complex public health challenges. The FDA is expanding its use of new smarter tools and approaches to help inform its oversight of foods and help ensure a strong and resilient food system. Business Division of Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance of Global Foodmate provides food standards & regulations research, labelling compliance consulting/Chinese label design, industry public opinion monitoring and analysis, registration services (of Infant formula, FSMP, Health food, Novel Food Ingredients, Novel Food Additives, New Varieties of Food-Related Products and Overseas manufacturers of imported food) and other comprehensive food safety solutions for domestic and overseas enterprises and institutions in food industry.  Please feel free to contact us: +86 10 68869850, E-mail: global_info@foodmate.net

Hong Kong | Import of poultry meat and products from areas in Korea, Germany and Poland suspended

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (February 19) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza in Yeongju-si of Gyeongsangbuk-Do Province in Korea and in Märkisch-Oderland District of the State of Brandenburg in Germany, and a notification from the General Veterinary Inspectorate of Poland about an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Zielonogórski District of Lubuskie Region in Poland, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the above-mentioned areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong. A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 1,190 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 11.15 million poultry eggs from Korea, about 3,900 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 1.41 million poultry eggs from Germany and about 13,500 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 39.08 million poultry eggs from Poland last year. "The CFS has contacted the Korean, German and Polish authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said. Business Division of Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance of Global Foodmate provides food standards & regulations research, labelling compliance consulting/Chinese label design, industry public opinion monitoring and analysis, registration services (of Infant formula, FSMP, Health food, Novel Food Ingredients, Novel Food Additives, New Varieties of Food-Related Products and Overseas manufacturers of imported food) and other comprehensive food safety solutions for domestic and overseas enterprises and institutions in food industry.  Please feel free to contact us: +86 10 68869850, E-mail: global_info@foodmate.net

CFSA| Solicit opinions on 10 new varieties of food additives including 4-α-glycosyltransferase

  On February 18, according to the National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, 9 new varieties of enzyme preparations for food industry including 4-α-glycosyltransferase and the application of food additive sucralose to expand the scope of use has passed the technical review of the expert review committee and is now open for public opinions. The deadline is March 8, 2021.         根据《食品添加剂新品种管理办法》和《食品添加剂新品种申报与受理规定》，4-α-糖基转移酶等9种食品工业用酶制剂新品种和食品添加剂三氯蔗糖扩大使用范围的申请，其安全性和工艺必要性已通过专家评审委员会技术审查（具体情况见附件），现公开征求意见。请于2020年3月8日前将相关意见反馈至我中心邮箱（zqyj@cfsa.net.cn），逾期将视为无意见。 Business Division of Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance of Global Foodmate provides food standards & regulations research, labelling compliance consulting/Chinese label design, industry public opinion monitoring and analysis, registration services (of Infant formula, FSMP, Health food, Novel Food Ingredients, Novel Food Additives, New Varieties of Food-Related Products and Overseas manufacturers of imported food) and other comprehensive food safety solutions for domestic and overseas enterprises and institutions in food industry.  Please feel free to contact us: +86 10 68869850, E-mail: global_info@foodmate.net

Singapore imposes temporary import restrictions on poultry products affected by avian influenza in Germany

On February 5, 2021, the Singapore Food Authority (SFA) announced that it would impose temporary restrictions on the import of poultry and their products near the place where the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak occurred in Germany. Due to the outbreak of H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza in Pottenstein, Bayreuth, Germany, from January 29, 2021, poultry and their products within 10 kilometers of the affected area will be imposed temporary restrictions on imports. Poultry products that meet the requirements of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) for avian influenza virus inactivation and heat treatment will not be affected by import restrictions. In order to facilitate customs clearance for other poultry and poultry products, when poultry and products are imported, the attached veterinary health certificate should also include the following additional certifications: A. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and H5 and H7 low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) are notifiable diseases in exporting countries. B. According to the definition of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), poultry derived from meat have not been vaccinated against H5 and H7 subtypes of avian influenza. C. Poultry meat and meat products do not originate from restricted areas with a radius of 10 kilometers around the affected site. D. Meat-derived poultry were born, raised and slaughtered in Germany, or day-old chicks legally imported from countries with the same poultry health status. Business Division of Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance of Global Foodmate provides food standards & regulations research, labelling compliance consulting/Chinese label design, industry public opinion monitoring and analysis, registration services (of Infant formula, FSMP, Health food, Novel Food Ingredients, Novel Food Additives, New Varieties of Food-Related Products and Overseas manufacturers of imported food) and other comprehensive food safety solutions for domestic and overseas enterprises and institutions in food industry.  Please feel free to contact us: +86 10 68869850, E-mail: global_info@foodmate.net

Hong Kong | Import of poultry meat and products from areas in UK and Poland suspended

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced on February 18 that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Fife of Scotland in the United Kingdom (UK), and a notification from the General Veterinary Inspectorate of Poland about an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Tarnogórski District of Śląskie Region in Poland, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the above-mentioned areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong. A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 11,130 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 420,000 poultry eggs from the UK, and about 13,500 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 39.08 million poultry eggs from Poland last year. "The CFS has contacted the British and Polish authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said. Business Division of Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance of Global Foodmate provides food standards & regulations research, labelling compliance consulting/Chinese label design, industry public opinion monitoring and analysis, registration services (of Infant formula, FSMP, Health food, Novel Food Ingredients, Novel Food Additives, New Varieties of Food-Related Products and Overseas manufacturers of imported food) and other comprehensive food safety solutions for domestic and overseas enterprises and institutions in food industry.  Please feel free to contact us: +86 10 68869850, E-mail: global_info@foodmate.net