China Proposes to Permit or Expand Usage Scopes for Six Food Additives

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April 25, 2018Xiaolu WangBlog
The China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) issued three proposals to seek public comments on approving one new food additive and expanding the usage scopes for a total of five food additives that are currently permitted for use in China. These Proposals were issued on 10 April 2018 and 16 April 2018, respectively. Public comments may be submitted to the CFSA by 11 May 2018.
 
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The Proposals, once adopted, would approve glucose oxidase as a new food additive in China.
 
In addition, they would expand the permitted usage scopes of the following food additives that are already permitted in China:
  • Vitamin E (dl-α-tocopherol, d-α-tocopherol, mixed tocopherol concentrate)
  • Sodium formate
  • Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) (Sourced from whey permeate)
  • Paprika Oleoresin
  • Paprika Red
The Proposals also provide supporting information in relation to the food additives that are to be approved or have their usage scopes expanded, as follows:
  • Basic information, such chemical name;
  • Permitted functional class;
  • Current usage conditions in China;
  • Additional usage scope proposed to be approved, if applicable; and
  • Quality specifications. 
Background information
 
China implements a positive list system for food additives. In other words, a food additive may only be used in food products if it is specifically approved in China. There are a number of national food safety standards regulating permitted food additives, such as the National Food Safety Standard for Use of Food Additives (GB 2760-2014). 
 
For food additives that are not listed in any of these national food safety standards, a safety assessment must be conducted before they can be approved for use in food products in China. The CFSA is responsible for conducting this assessment and collecting public feedback and comments on the food additives to be approved.
 
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Companies operating in the food industry should note that the CFSA issued a proposal to approve one new food additive and expand the usage scopes for a total of five food additives permitted in China. 
 
Public comments on the proposal can be submitted to the CFSA until 11 May 2018 via email at zqyj@cfsa.net.cn.








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