On March 12, 2024, China National Health Commission (NHC) released GB 2760-2024 National Food Safety Standard Standard for Uses of Food Additives (hereinafter referred to as GB 2760-2024). This standard stands as the primary and most important legal framework for the regulation and proper use of food additives in China. It supersedes the previous GB 2760-2014 and is set to come into force on February 8, 2025. Major changes are outlined as below:
Integration of approved new food additives
In China, in addition to permitted food additives listed in GB 2760, NHC proposes and approves new food additives through the issuance of separate notifications. GB 2760-2024 incorporates these newly approved additives since the implementation of GB 2760-2014, as per the notifications made by NHC up until August 1, 2023.
Revision of the definition of food additives
The definition of food additives is expanded to include the content of nutritional fortification substances. The management of nutritional fortification substances such as approval of new varieties may adhere to the regulatory provisions applicable to food additives.
Revision of Appendix A for food additives
l The search mechanism is optimized.
The original three tables from GB 2760-2014 are streamlined into two refined tables, with former Table A.2 now merged into Table A.1. This consolidation results in a clear, two-table format consisting of "Table A.1 Permitted Varieties, Application Scopes, and the Maximum Levels or Residue Levels of Food Additives" and "Table A.2 Food Categories and List of Exceptions for Table A.1". These revisions have made the search for food additive information much more convenient. There are also revisions to the names, CNS or INS code of some food additives.
l Food additive requirements are updated.
Some additives, such as Basella rubra red, Buddleia yellow and Jujube pigment, are eliminated due to their lack of necessity in current processes. Moreover, new combined usage limits are set for sweeteners like Aspartame and Acesulfame in the same food categories to ensure consumer safety. The regulations are also refined to better articulate the usage of additives in both liquid and solid forms of beverages. For instance, "By ×××, usage can be increased according to dilutions for solid drinks" is revised to "By ×××, for ready-to-drink formulations, usage can be increased according to dilutions for corresponding solid drinks". Additionally, food categories previously classified under "other" in GB 2760-2014 are re-categorized, and the corresponding food additive regulations have been adjusted accordingly.
Revision of Appendix B for food flavoring
l The Use of some food flavorings and fragrances are updated.
To address concerns over potential misuse, flavorings that possess additional functions as food additives or other applications in food, such as Benzoic acid, Cinnamic aldehyde and Guarana extract, should be prepared as flavor essences for food aromatization. When utilized for other purposes, they must comply with the relevant standard requirements.
l Categories of some food flavorings are improved.
Six flavorings are no longer listed due to industry abandonment or reclassification. For instance, Cumin oil and Fenugreek are classified as spices, and Roselle, Pomegranate concentrate and Corn silk are classified as common food items.
In compliance with updates from international food additive authorities and industry associations, some substances like trans-Anethole Anise camphor and Phloretin are shifted to synthetic categories.
l The use of food flavoring in complementary baby food is clarified.
Complementary baby food is newly included in "Table B.1 List of foods not allowed to be added with flavorings or fragrances". While the general rule prohibits the addition of flavorings and fragrances in these foods, an exception exists for proper addition of Vanillin in cereal-based complementary baby food.
Revision of Appendix C for processing aids
Major revision includes the deletion and modification of some processing aids. For instances, mineral oil is removed, and its usage requirements are consolidated with those for white mineral oil. Additionally, in alignment with regulations of international authorities, the category and usage requirements for 1,2-dichloroethane are eliminated. This revision also involves the standardization of the presentation of processing aids' names in both English and Chinese, ensuring clarity and consistency in terminology.
The GB 2760 standards have been developed through a series of updates, with official drafts released in 2017, 2021, and 2022. In a vital move for the industry, the authority officially released the GB 2760-2024 standards.
Source: Chemlinked
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