Throughout 2023, a total of 74 "Three New Food" Products (new food additives, food-related products, and new food materials) have been approved, among which 12 were new food raw materials. According to the statistics from NHC and the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment in 2023: 22 new food raw materials applications were accepted; 17 new food raw materials were issued for public comment; 4 products were rejected for approval; and 5 substances were included in the termination review list. We have summarized the details in China in the following article.

On December 29, 2023, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) issued 3 new food additives for public comment, including 1 new food enzyme and 2 food additives with expanded scope. The deadline for public comments is January 24, 2024.

In recent years, fueled by consumers’ growing demand for low-calorie diets, sweetness-related keywords such as “low-sugar” and “zero-sugar” remain highly popular. Sugar substitutes are widely used in the downstream food and beverage industry, due to the characteristics of high-sweet, low-calorie, and not causing a rise in blood sugar levels.

On November 30, the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China (NHC) issued an announcement (No. 10 of 2023) on the approval of 9 “Three New Foods”, including three new food raw materials, two new food additives, and four food-related products.

On October 26, 2023, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) issued 8 new food additives for public comments, including 1 new food additive, 2 new food enzymes, 1 new food nutrition enhancer and 4 food additives with expanded scope. The deadline for public comments is November 21, 2023.

On October 7, the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China (NHC) issued an announcement (No. 8 of 2023) on the approval of 15 “Three New Foods”, including four new food raw materials, six new food additives, and five food-related products.

China offers a wide range of food categories in addition to complex food regulations and standards. It is crucial to precisely determine whether the raw materials and additives used in a food product comply with Chinese regulatory standards before it is imported or launched on the market. How do you verify the compliance of food raw materials? What is the scope of use and amount of food additives permitted? Typically, these types of queries call for food enterprises to carry out multiple inquiries and research.

As of the end of June 2023, the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China (NHC) issued two announcements (No. 1 of 2023, No. 3 of 2023) in which a total of 42 products were approved. 23 of them were new food additives (including those for expanded use).

On August 1, National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China (NHC) issued an announcement (No. 5 of 2023) for “Three New Foods” with eight products approved, namely two new food raw materials, three new food additives, and three food-related products.

On June 26, 2023, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) issued three new food additives for public comment, including one new food additive and two food processing aids with an expanded scope of use. The deadline for public comments is July 20, 2023.