FOOD AND HEALTH ESSENTIALS

China publishes amendments to food additive regulation

China’s National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) has amended that country’s food additive regulation to permit the use of certain food flavouring agents and other food additives.

Published in late February, NHFPC 2017-1 now permits the use ammonium carbonate as a leavening agent in biscuits, when good manufacturing practices (GMP) are employed. In addition, nine new flavouring agents can now be legally used in most food products, with the exception of certain food categories where the use of flavouring agents is not permitted.

Finally, the NHFPC notice expands the use of two food additives. Sodium metabisulfite is now permitted for use in certain canned vegetables, while glucono delta-lactone can now be used in light cream. 

The complete text of notice (in Chinese) is available here.