China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment is currently soliciting opinions on National Food Safety Standard Cereal-based Complementary Foods for Infants and Young Children (Draft for Comments), and requires the relevant to provide feedback before July 17, 2020. Antion compared the draft for comment with the content of the current version, analyzed and interpreted the main changes and impacts as follows:
1. Modification of the description of scope, terms, definition and product classification
In order to further clarify the scope of application of the regulations, the scope of the draft for comments has been changed to "cereal-based complementary foods for 6-36 months infants and young children". The proportion of grain dry matter is increased to 50%, and the expression of millet has been added to the main ingredients; the specific product categories have been added to the product category description. Several types of products are listed in detail to facilitate clearer food category identification.
2. Prohibited items are added to the requirement of ingredients
"Honey should not be used" are put in the draft for comments and the range of prohibited ingredients are expanded.
3. Modification of basic nutrient index, optional nutrient index and some limits
Compared with the current version of the nutrients index, the limited range of some nutrients (vitamin B1, calcium, vitamin B2, biotin, etc.) is added this time. The optional nutrients vitamin C is adjusted to the basic nutrient composition, while magnesium and nicotinamide are added as optional nutrients, and the types of composition indicators and their restricted ranges are further refined.
4. Detailed rules and requirements for energy calculation
The description of the calculation method for carbohydrate is revised in the draft for comments. The energy coefficient of dietary fiber is modified to 8 kJ/g. At the same time, the note "when other cereal-based complementary foods for infants and young children are canned and instant, the energy value should be≥335 (80) kJ (kcal)/100g" is added.
5. The regulation of limit of added sugar are revised
Honey in the current version is removed and modified to "if one or more of sucrose, fructose, glucose, glucose syrup is added to the product". And the limit value is adjusted down. If one or more of them are added, the total amount is less than 0.6g/100kJ (2.5g/100kcal).
6. The limit standards for pollutants, mycotoxins and microorganisms are revised
The limit requirements of pollutants, mycotoxins and salmonella in the original standards have been removed, and the general standards for the limits of pollutants, mycotoxins, and microbial pathogens are cited. Meanwhile the content of canned instant cereal-based complementary foods should meet the commercial sterility requirements.
7. The application scope of detecting urease activity is revised
The draft for comments clearly requires that urease activity should be negative in products that use soy or soy products as protein source.
8. The requirements for package are added
The requirements for “package” are added. "Carbon dioxide and/or nitrogen that meets national food safety standards can be used as packaging media," which provides the guidance and basis of laws and regulations for the manufacturers’ packaging technology.
Conclusion
The safety of cereal-based complementary foods for infants and young children is related to health and safety of infants and young children. The issuance of the National Food Safety Standard Cereal-based Complementary Foods for Infants and Young Children (Draft for Comments) can further prevent and control the safety risks of complementary foods for infants and young children, provide more detailed guidance and promote high-quality development of the industry of complementary foods for infants and young children in China.