Food labels in the US must comply with the requirement of American federal regulations (21 CFR 101.9 for general food; 21 CFR 101.36 for dietary supplement). In order to convey the correct nutrition facts to consumers, label makers should fully understand the requirements of food labels and ensure that every details is standardized. In this article, we will provide a detailed interpretation on the requirements of US nutrition labels.

The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) officially issued the Key Points for the Review of the Change of Registration Certificate for Health Foods with No Validity Period and No Technical Requirements in Production and Sale (hereinafter referred to as the Key Points) on November 1st, 2024 in order to standardize the health food registration certificates of products with no validity period.

Currently, China has officially approved 22 special medical use carbohydrate component formulas designed for people over one year who suffered from specific diseases or needs carbohydrate supplementation. 22 carbohydrate component formulas are domestically made by 20 companies, among which, DAISY FSMP and Tibet DUOXIN HEALTH were approved for 2 products each, and the other 18 companies were approved for 1 product. The largest number of approved companies is in Jiangsu Province, with a total of 7 products. The first carbohydrate component formula 泉克 was registered and approved by Tibet DUOXIN HEALTH in 2020, other carbohydrate component formulas were approved mostly in 2021, 2023 and 2024.

NDI, or New Dietary Ingredient is defined in 21 CFR as dietary ingredients, ingredients used a supplements, introduced to the US market after October 15, 1994. As required by FDA, manufactures must notify FDA as least 75 days prior to the marketing of a product containing NDI. Almost all NDI notifications (NDIN) and their corresponding FDA response letters are publically available on the FDA website. The acceptance of the information provided in each NDIN is a procedural matter that does not preclude FDA from taking action against the NDI if is to be found to be unsafe in the future.

On October 29, 2024, we hosted a free webinar on the key points and considerations in health food development. Many questions were raised during the webinar. We have collected the questions and made a Q&A summary

Last week, China’s National Health Commission (NHC) Government Services Platform issued notifications regarding the acceptance of “three new foods” (new food raw materials, new food additives, and new food-related products). The applications for two new food additive have been accepted.

According to the “Regulations on Administration of Administrative License for New Food-Related Products” and “Regulations on Declaration and Acceptance of New Food-Related Products”, three new food-related products, including Behenamide, have passed the technical evaluation by the Expert Evaluation Committee (for details, please refer to the Annex), and are hereby invited to give their opinions publicly. Please send your written comments before November 23, 2024.

On the basis of Measures for the Administration of New Food Additives and Provisions for the Declaration and Acceptance of New Food Additives, the safety and technical significance of the application of the six new food additives (peroxidase, xylanase, 3’-Sialyllactose sodiumsalt, Lacto-N-neotetraose, Magnesium oxide and Hydrogen peroxide) have been reviewed by expert review committee and are welcome for public comments. Please send your comments and suggestions by e-mail to zqyj@cfsa.net.cn before November 24, 2014.

Entrusted by the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China, on the basis of the requirement from Food Safety Law and Administrative Measures for Reviewing the Safety of New Food Ingredients, two New Food Materials—Sakura polyphenols and Rooster comb sodium hyaluronate have been technically reviewed by expert review committee and are open for public comments now. Please provide your comments as of November 23, 2024.

Recently, China's National Health Commission (NHC) Government Services Platform issued notifications regarding the approval and review of “Thee new foods” (new food raw materials, new food additives, and new food-related products). The notifications included an extension notice for 12 new food-related products, a notification of a review opinion for 5 new food additive and 7 new food-related product, and 4 non-approval decision.