Global Food

GACC | Issue the registration list of overseas production enterprises of imported dairy products (updated on August 1, 2020)

The General Administration of Customs issued the registration list of overseas manufacturers of imported dairy products, updated the registration list of infant formula manufacturers in France, Germany and Poland in China, and the list of infant formula enterprises of USA exported to China. Click the link to see the details: http://jckspj.customs.gov.cn/spj/zwgk75/2706880/2811812/jkrpjwscqyzcmd3/index.html 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 Issues Final Guidance for Industry on Action Level for Inorganic Arsenic in Infant Rice Cereals

On 5 August 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued guidance finalizing the 2016 draft guidance for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereals and identifying the agency’s intended sampling and enforcement approach. The guidance identifies an action level of 100 micrograms per kilogram (µg/kg) or 100 parts per billion (ppb) which protects public health by reducing infants’ dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic and is achievable by industry. The FDA is taking this action because exposure to inorganic arsenic is associated with neurodevelopmental effects. FDA testing of infant rice cereals over the last decade suggests that manufacturers are already making significant progress in reaching this action level through good manufacturing practices, such as selective sourcing and testing of rice and rice-derived ingredients (e.g., rice flour) to ensure lower levels of inorganic arsenic. Results from sampling in 2018 show that 76% of samples were at or below the 100 ppb level, compared to 47% of samples tested in 2014 and 36% of samples tested between 2011-2013. Both white rice and brown rice cereals showed improvement in meeting the 100 ppb level, but the improvement was greatest for white rice cereals, which tend to have lower levels of inorganic arsenic overall. Infant rice cereals fortified with iron are a good source of nutrients for infants and are often used as the first or only infant cereal given. However, other iron-fortified infant cereals including oat, barley, and multigrain can be a first or early infant cereal. Pregnant women are also advised to eat a variety of grains as part of a well-balanced diet. The FDA’s announcement today is part of a broader effort, led by the Toxic Elements Working Group, to identify, target, and prioritize FDA efforts to reduce exposure to toxic elements from food. The agency will continue to monitor research developments on adverse health effects to determine if new data support changes to our action level. We intend to consider the action level of 100 µg/kg or 100 ppb inorganic arsenic as an important source of information regarding whether infant rice cereal is adulterated within the meaning of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. 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

Import of poultry meat and products from Golden Plains Shire of state of Victoria in Australia suspended

  The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (August 3) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H7N7 avian influenza in the Golden Plains Shire of state of Victoria in Australia, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong. A CFS spokesman said that Hong Kong imported about 170 tonnes of chilled poultry meat, 870 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and 1.8 million poultry eggs from Australia in the first six months of this year, according to the Census and Statistics Department. "The CFS has contacted the Australian authorities over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE 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

Hongkong CFS finds malachite green in green grouper sample

  The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (August 4) announced that malachite green was found in a green grouper sample. A follow-up is in progress. A CFS spokesman said, "The CFS collected the above-mentioned green grouper sample at import level for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained malachite green at a level of 18 parts per billion." The spokesman said that the CFS has informed the importer concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop sale of the affected product. The CFS is also tracing the source of the product concerned. Malachite green is a type of industrial dye and has been used for treating infections in fish. Currently, malachite green has been prohibited for use in food-producing animals in many countries. According to the Harmful Substances in Food Regulations (Cap 132AF), no food sold in Hong Kong is allowed to contain malachite green. Offenders will be prosecuted and will be liable to a fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months upon conviction. The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing. 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

Hongkong CFS finds trace amount of antibiotic in egg sample

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (August 4) that a trace of the antibiotic metronidazole was detected in a sample of Ukrainian eggs. The center is following up on the incident. A spokesperson for the center said: "Through the food incident monitoring system, the center was informed that the Singapore Food Authority issued a notice stating that the above-mentioned eggs produced at Baryshevska Farm in Ukraine were found to exceed local standards for metronidazole and therefore are prohibited from being imported locally. "After learning of the incident, the center immediately contacted the Ukrainian and Singaporean authorities; as well as major local importers to follow up. The center also immediately implemented deduction arrangements to strengthen inspections of the egg products imported by the farms involved, requiring importers to wait for the egg products to pass the inspection. It can be sold later. The center's preliminary investigation revealed that an importer had imported a batch of affected products, and a sample taken by one of the centers for testing was found to contain metronidazole at 0.1 part per billion." "The center has notified the importer involved in the above-mentioned test results. Under the deduction arrangement, the batch of products has been detained for inspection and has not been exported to the local market." The spokesman added: “For the sake of prudence, the CFS also immediately suspended the import and sale of egg products from the farms concerned. Trades who hold the affected products from the farms mentioned above should immediately stop using or selling them.” According to the Codex Alimentarius Commission, in view of the effects of metronidazole and its metabolites on health, food regulatory authorities should try to avoid food containing metronidazole residues. Article 52 of the "Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance" stipulates that any person who sells food whose nature, substance, or quality is not in conformity with the food requested by the purchaser, so that it is disadvantageous to the purchaser, is a crime. The maximum penalty is a fine of 10,000 yuan and imprisonment for three months. The center has notified the Ukrainian authorities about the suspension of imports, and will also notify the local industry, and will continue to follow up the incident and take appropriate actions to protect food safety and public health. The investigation continues. 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  

The China Consumers Association released an analysis of the complaints received by the National Consumers Association in the first half of 2020

  The China Consumers Association released an analysis of the complaints received by the National Consumers Association in the first half of 2020. In the first half of 2020, the National Consumers Association accepted 247,796 complaints about commodities, of which 38,788 complaints are about food, ranking third. Compared with the first half of 2019, the number of food complaints increased by 242.5% year-on-year.         中国消费者协会发布2020年上半年全国消协组织受理投诉情况分析，2020年上半年，全国消协组织受理商品类投诉247,796件，其中食品类的投诉量为38788件，位居第三位。较2019年上半年相比，食品类投诉量同比增长242.5%。 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

ANZ intends to approve rapeseed protein isolate as a new food ingredient

On July 31, 2020, the Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) issued Circular 130-20, in which Proposal A1175 solicited opinions on the approval of rapeseed protein isolate as a new food ingredient. The proposal also sets standards for the source, quality and hygienic specifications of rapeseed protein isolate. At the same time, it is proposed that this new food should not be used in infant formula and other foods for infants. The solicitation period for proposals is until September 4, 2020. For more details, please refer to: https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/code/applications/Pages/A1175.aspx 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  

The EU revises the monitoring plan for veterinary drug residues in food of animal origin

  On July 31, 2020, the European Commission issued (EU) 2020/1141 Implementation Decision, amending the 2011/163/EU on the approval of third countries’ residue monitoring plans submitted in accordance with Article 29 of Council Directive 96/23/EC Decision No. to revise the monitoring plan for veterinary drug residues in food of animal origin . The plan involves 12 kinds of animal products in 86 countries, including poultry meat, aquatic products, poultry eggs, rabbit meat and honey from China to provide test certificates. The annex to this decision replaces the annex to decision 2011/163/EU. For more details, please refer to: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2020.248.01.0012.01.ENG&toc=OJ:L:2020:248: TOC 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

The Food and Drug Administration of Thailand issued a warning news about "fluorescent shrimp sushi" that may be caused by infection with microorganisms

Foodmate News: on July 31: Poollap, the Secretary of Thailand Food and Drug Administration, said that a Facebook social platform user recently posted a picture of "fluorescent shrimp sushi. Shrimp and seafood glowing are caused by many reasons, including infection with luminescent bacteria. Generally speaking, seafood is contaminated by luminescent bacteria, but they are destroyed by heating during cooking. In sushi, seafood is mostly raw food that has not been cooked and heated, so it must be kept at a very low temperature to limit the number of bacteria. Poollap went on to say that the FDA audits food production enterprises in accordance with good manufacturing practices (GMP) to control, supervise and monitor food safety. FDA has inspected the "Fluorescent shrimp sushi" sales locations and collect samples of sushi ingredients, which will be test specificly. If it is found to violate the provisions of the Food Law BE2522, it will be dealt with in accordance with the law. Poollap, finally advised consumers not to eat raw foods, because raw foods may be infected with pathogenic microorganisms, which may cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, enteritis and other symptoms. It is recommended to buy food in a sanitary and disinfected place and choose freshly cooked food. The temperature during storage should not exceed 4 degrees Celsius. The food packaging must be labeled, including the name of the food, the name and address of the manufacturer, the net content, the production and the expired date, food additive information, food storage method and other information. If consumers find non-standard or unsafe products, they can directly call the complaint hotline of the Thai Ministry of Public Health to file a complaint against the offender. 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  

The United States exempts residue limits for long-chain alcohols

Foodmate News: On 31 July 2020, the EPA issued regulations No. 2020-15743, exemption residue limits for long-chain alcohols. According to the regulations, when long-chain alcohols are used for growing crops and pesticide formulations of post-harvest agricultural products and inert ingredients in antibacterial formulations for animals, their residue limits are exempted. This provision will take effect on July 31, 2020, and an objection or hearing request must be submitted before September 29, 2020. 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