Food safety and hygiene newsletter Feb. 2026

Date of Promulgation: December 30, 2025

Effective Date: December 31, 2026

Regulatory Authority: Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), Republic of Korea

This amendment to the Food Sanitation Act focuses on two key areas: tightening regulations on labeling genetically modified foods (GMO) and digitizing the food safety certification management system (HACCP).

1. Standardizing Legal Definitions of Genetic Engineering Techniques

The amended law introduces precise legal definitions as the basis for applying control regulations:

• Genetic Modification (Article 2, Paragraph 16): Defined as the use of biotechnology to alter the genes of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products. Specifically includes:
  • Artificial gene recombination or direct injection of nucleic acids constituting genes into cells or organelles.
  • Cell fusion techniques that cross taxonomic family boundaries.
• Unintentional Mixing (Article 2, Paragraph 17): Refers to the unintended presence of genetically modified components during the production, importation, or distribution of conventional agricultural, forestry, and fishery products.

2. Changes to GMO Food Labeling Requirements (Article 12-2)

• The most significant change in this amendment is the mandatory labeling requirement even when no trace of GMO DNA or protein remains in the final product.
• Mandatory labeling applies to:
  • Foods/food additives using genetically modified raw materials.
  • Foods/food additives with an “unintentional mixing” ratio exceeding the threshold set by MFDS.
• Regulations for highly processed products (Paragraph 2): Even if GMO DNA or protein has been degraded or removed during processing (making detection impossible through testing), the product must still be labeled as “Genetically Modified Food” if it falls under the category specified by MFDS and the Food Sanitation Review Committee.

3. Establishing Standards for “Non-GMO” Labeling (Article 12-3)

To prevent misuse of the “Non-GMO” label that could mislead consumers, the law sets strict conditions:

• Conditions for Non-GMO labeling:
  • Raw materials must belong to a crop variety for which GMO variants approved as safe exist in Korea (if no GMO variant exists for that crop, the label cannot be used to avoid confusion).
  • No genetically modified raw materials are used.
  • The unintentional mixing ratio must comply with technical standards issued by MFDS.

Prohibition: It is strictly forbidden to label products as “Non-GMO” or “Not Genetically Modified” if they do not fully meet the above technical standards.

4. Establishing the Integrated Management System for Food Safety Certification Standards (Article 48-6)

To transition from paper-based procedures to a digital platform, MFDS will develop an integrated management system:

• Functions: Centralized collection, analysis, recording, and provision of information related to HACCP certification.
• Operational Mechanism: MFDS is authorized to require HACCP-certified facilities and training institutions to provide relevant data. Additionally, the regulatory authority is responsible for developing and distributing supporting software to enable businesses to use the system effectively.
• System operation and program development may be delegated to specialized agencies with technical expertise.

5. Implementation Timeline and Transitional Provisions

• Effective Date: The law takes effect one year after promulgation (i.e., from December 31, 2026).
• Labeling Application: New GMO labeling requirements (Article 12-2) apply to shipments first produced or processed, or imported shipments with a Bill of Lading dated after the law’s effective date.
• The Special Act on the Management of Imported Food Safety will also be adjusted accordingly to harmonize referenced provisions.

Link: https://www.law.go.kr/lsInfoP.do?lsiSeq=282007&viewCls=lsRvsDocInfoR#

Draft Partial Amendment to the “Standards and Specifications for Utensils, Containers, and Packages” According to MFDS Notice No. 2026-009

On January 8, 2026, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of the Republic of Korea (MFDS) issued Notice No. 2026-009, announcing a comprehensive revision of the Standards and Specifications for Utensils, Containers, and Packages that come into contact with food. This is one of the most significant updates to date.

I. Purpose of the Amendment

To ensure consistency and harmonization in the application of standards and specifications, this draft amendment:

• Adds a new section on definitions of terminology, and revises wording in the General Provisions as well as the Common Standards & Specifications.
• Clarifies the prohibition of DEHP (di‑ethylhexyl phthalate) and DEHA (di‑ethylhexyl adipate) in food wrap products and specifies related regulatory requirements for PVC materials.
• Establishes new criteria for the approval of recycled polypropylene (PP) as a raw material for manufacturing, provided that it is not contaminated by non-food sources, thereby expanding the safe use of recycled materials.

II. Key Amendments

1. Newly Defined Terminology and Wording Adjustments in the General Provisions and Common Standards & Specifications

1. Addition of a Terminology Definition Section

This revision introduces a fully consolidated glossary that previously was scattered or not officially defined. A total of 22 key terms have been added and standardized, including: Inspection target, Sample for inspection, Copolymer, Permanganate consumption (KMnO₄ consumption), Monomer

Coating/painting process, Physically recycled synthetic resin, Enamel, Infant and toddler products, Rubber products for infants and toddlers, Migration, Migration specification, Surrogate contaminants (artificial contaminants), Monobloc (one‑piece) products, Primary aromatic amines

Residue, Residue specification, Removal efficiency, Total migration, Total volatilization, Recycled resin flakes, Synthetic resin (polymer)

2. Wording Adjustments and Restructuring of the General Provisions

• “Purpose of the Standards and Specifications” → replaced with “Purpose”.
• The section “Structure of Standards and Specifications” is deleted, and a new section “3. Application of Standards and Specifications” is added, containing 11 principles, including:
• Concurrent application of common standards and material‑specific specifications
• How to interpret multilayer, multipolymer, copolymer, and monobloc products
• Test principles (e.g., rounding test results to n+1 digits before comparison with the specification limit)
• Principles for cases where no designated test method exists → use MFDS‑approved methods, ISO, ASTM, AOAC, etc.

2. Revisions to Standards and Specification Requirements

1. Raw material standards

• Prohibited substances / technical limits
• DEHP: changed from “≤ 1.5 mg/L” to “Not Detected (ND)”, applicable to all soft PVC products.
• DEHA: Not Detected (ND) for PVC food wrap.
• Colorants: only MFDS‑approved colorants may be used, except for enamel/glass applications.
• Prohibited chemicals: must comply with the Persistent Organic Pollutants Control Act.
• Requirements for metals and food‑contact materials
• Lead in food‑contact metals: ≤ 0.10%
• Antimony in food‑contact metals: ≤ 5.0%
• Tin plating used for food contact must contain lead ≤ 0.10%
• Soldering and electrodes in direct contact with food may only use safe materials such as iron, aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, and platinum.
• Requirements for recycled materials
• Use of recycled materials is allowed only if compliant with Chapter IV.
• MFDS may reassess material eligibility if new safety data arises.
• Total heavy metal limits for polymers, paper, cellulose, and starch materials: Total of Pb + Cd + Hg + Cr(VI) ≤ 100 mg/kg

2. Standards for Manufacturing and Processing

Key requirements include:

• Preventing physical/chemical contamination
• Maintaining sanitary conditions during manufacturing
• Preventing hazardous substance contamination
• Prohibition of printing on direct food‑contact surfaces
• Specific requirements for equipment used for livestock products
• Requirements for active/smart packaging (e.g., migration restrictions, functional additives used within approved limits)

3. Establishment and Revision of Approval Standards for Recycled Polypropylene (PP)

1. Input Material Requirements (PP Flake)

All of the following must be met:

• Made from 100% PP, with no other polymers mixed
• Collected, sorted, and used within a closed and controlled system
• No direct printing and no adhesives (except heat‑alkali detachable ink)
• Thoroughly washed with no visible contaminants remaining

→ These requirements are closely aligned with EFSA (EU) criteria for food‑grade recycled PP.

2. Recycling Process Requirements

• The recycling process line must be managed separately from other processes.
• Process conditions (temperature, pressure, time, etc.) must ensure product safety and quality.
• The applicant may submit self‑developed test methods, but validation is required.
• A complete set of SOPs and quality/hygiene management procedures must be in place.

3. Conformity Assessment Requirements

The applicant must:

• Contaminate PP flakes with surrogate contaminants
• Conduct recycling under actual operating conditions
• Meet at least one of the following criteria: Migration criterion, Residue criterion, Removal efficiency criterion

4. Documentation Required for Approval of Recycled PP

Includes:

• Input material documentation
• Process documentation
• Removal efficiency evaluation report
• Final product information
• Quality management documentation (QMS)
• Physical properties, packaging, and storage information for PP flakes
• If any required document is omitted, a justification must be provided

Deadline for Comments: Before 09/03/2026

More information: https://www.mfds.go.kr/brd/m_209/view.do?seq=44201&page=1#none

U.S

EPA Establishes and Adjusts Pesticide Residue Levels for Certain Active Ingredients on Black Pepper and Sugarcane

I. Notice of Change on December 8, 2025 for Azoxystrobin

On December 8, 2025, based on a petition submitted by the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule establishing a tolerance level for residues of the active ingredient Azoxystrobin on black pepper.

Effective Date: December 8, 2025

Deadline for Filing Objections or Hearing Requests: On or before February 6, 2026, in accordance with 40 CFR Part 178.

Docket Reference: EPA-HQ-OPP-2024-0460; Document No. 2025-22174 (90 FR 56691) at regulations.gov.

EPA officially sets the maximum residue limit (MRL) for Azoxystrobin on the following commodity:
Black Pepper (Pepper, black): 1 ppm

Key Points and EPA’s Basis for Evaluation:

• Basis for Establishment: This tolerance is based on an import tolerance petition and does not involve a new domestic use registration in the United States. EPA determined that the 1 ppm limit for black pepper is safe and provides reasonable certainty of no harm to public health, including sensitive subpopulations such as infants and children.

• Aggregate Risk Assessment:

  • Acute Risk: Represents 29% of the adjusted population dose (aPAD) for children aged 1–2 years (the highest exposure group).

  • Chronic Risk: Represents 66% of the adjusted population dose (cPAD) for the same age group.

  • Both values are below EPA’s level of concern (100% PAD).

• International Harmonization: Currently, the Codex Alimentarius Commission has not established an MRL for Azoxystrobin on black pepper. Therefore, the 1 ppm level was set by EPA based on residue trial data provided by ASTA.

II. Notice of Change on December 19, 2025 for Flupyradifurone (Emergency Exemption)

On December 19, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a rule establishing time-limited tolerances for residues of the active ingredient Flupyradifurone on sugarcane. This decision follows EPA’s approval of an emergency exemption request from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF).

Effective Date: December 19, 2025

Expiration Date: These tolerances will expire on December 31, 2028.

Deadline for Filing Objections or Hearing Requests: On or before February 17, 2026.

Docket Reference: EPA-HQ-OPP-2025-1973; Document No. 2025-23420 (90 FR 59389) at regulations.gov.

EPA officially sets the following temporary maximum residue limits for Flupyradifurone (including its metabolites and degradates): Sugarcane, cane: 3 ppm; Sugarcane, molasses: 90 ppm

Key Points Regarding Emergency Exemption:

• Reason for Exemption: Louisiana is facing an emergency due to simultaneous infestations of pests such as the West Indian canefly, sugarcane aphid, and yellow sugarcane aphid. Due to a lack of effective insecticides compatible with integrated pest management (IPM) practices, the use of Flupyradifurone is necessary to prevent severe economic losses for sugarcane growers.

• Health Safety Assessment: Despite being an emergency measure, EPA ensures that these residue levels meet the safety standard of “reasonable certainty of no harm.”

  • Dietary Risk: Acute risk is estimated at 55% of aPAD and chronic risk at 70% of cPAD for children aged 1–2 years (the most sensitive group), both within acceptable safety margins.

  • Aggregate Risk: Drinking water and residential exposure assessments indicate no health concerns (Margins of Exposure [MOE] are all greater than 100).

• For the specific agricultural commodities covered by this rule, residues are determined by measuring only the parent compound: 4-[(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)methylamino]-2(5H)-furanone.

III. Notice of Change on December 19, 2025 for Thiamethoxam

On December 19, 2025, after reviewing a petition submitted by the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule establishing a tolerance for residues of the insecticide Thiamethoxam on imported black pepper.

Effective Date: December 19, 2025

Deadline for Filing Objections or Hearing Requests: On or before February 17, 2026, in accordance with 40 CFR Part 178.

Docket Reference: EPA-HQ-OPP-2024-0631; Document No. 2025-23424 (90 FR 59393) at regulations.gov.

EPA officially sets the maximum residue limit (MRL) for the combined residues of Thiamethoxam and its metabolites (including Clothianidin/CGA-322704) on: Black Pepper (Pepper, black): 0.15 ppm

Key Points and EPA’s Basis for Evaluation:

• Adjustment from Petition: ASTA initially proposed 0.1 ppm. However, after analyzing monitoring data, EPA decided to set the level at 0.15 ppm to better reflect actual data and ensure feasibility in international trade.

• Neonicotinoid Group Risk Assessment: Thiamethoxam belongs to the Neonicotinoid class (along with acetamiprid, imidacloprid, etc.). EPA conducted a cumulative risk assessment for the group and determined that adding this tolerance for black pepper does not alter the overall safety conclusion. Exposure remains below EPA’s level of concern.

  • Acute Risk: Represents 13% of aPAD for infants under 1 year.

  • Chronic Risk: Represents 75% of cPAD for children aged 1–2 years.

• Thiamethoxam metabolizes into Clothianidin (CGA-322704) in plants and animals. Therefore, EPA conducted separate risk assessments for this metabolite to ensure that combined exposure from direct Clothianidin use and Thiamethoxam metabolism remains safe.

• International Harmonization: Currently, neither the Codex Alimentarius Commission nor Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has established an MRL for Thiamethoxam on black pepper. EPA’s establishment of 0.15 ppm provides a regulatory framework for imported black pepper entering the U.S. market.

Link:

• https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/08/2025-22174/azoxystrobin-pesticide-tolerances
• https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/19/2025-23420/flupyradifurone-pesticide-tolerance-for-emergency-exemption
• https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/19/2025-23424/thiamethoxam-pesticide-tolerances

Taiwan

Draft Regulation on Inulin Produced Using Fructosyltransferase Enzyme

On January 5, 2025, the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) announced a draft regulation concerning the use of inulin as a food ingredient produced through a fructosyltransferase enzyme reaction. The purpose of this regulation is to ensure food safety and provide transparent information to consumers.

Key requirements are as follows:

1. Ingredient Specification

The inulin described in the draft is produced from:

• A sucrose solution combined with fructosyltransferase enzyme extracted from Bacillus sp. 217C-11 strain.
• After the enzymatic reaction, the product undergoes processing steps including heating, decolorization, separation, concentration, drying, and purification.

2. Specifications of Inulin

3. Labeling Requirement

Products containing this inulin must clearly state: 本產品內之菊糖是以蔗糖經酵素反應製得 - The inulin in this product is produced from sucrose through an enzymatic reaction.

Anyone with comments or proposed amendments to this notice should submit their feedback or inquiries within 60 days from the date of publication in the official gazette.
For details, please refer to the attached link: https://www.fda.gov.tw/TC/newsContent.aspx?cid=5072&id=31363

Taiwan proposes amendment to pesticide Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) in food

The Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) has announced a draft amendment to the pesticide Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) listed in Annex 1 – Article 3 of the “Standards for Pesticide Residue Limits.” This is one of the key regulatory actions aimed at strengthening food safety control and ensuring alignment with the legal framework under the Food Safety and Sanitation Act. According to TFDA, this draft amendment is developed based on Article 15 of the Food Safety and Sanitation Act, which clearly stipulates that any food product containing pesticide residues exceeding the established MRLs is prohibited from being manufactured, sold, imported, or displayed. Therefore, updating the MRLs is necessary to ensure consistency with actual pesticide usage conditions and international reference data.
The proposed revisions include:

1.  Addition and revision of 174 MRL values for 38 pesticides

2. Removal of Tolylfluanid from 12 food commodities

3. Terminology updates and technical adjustments-    

Renaming “無頭甘藍 (headless cabbage)” to “羽衣甘藍 – kale”.
-    Revising the classification of certain active ingredients such as Cyclaniliprole, Flubendiamide, and Flufenoxuron.
-    Standardizing the international name of Profenofos (佈飛松) to ensure consistency with global nomenclature.

Public comments on this draft amendment may be submitted within 60 days from the date of this announcement.
For full details, please refer to the link below: 
https://www.fda.gov.tw/TC/newsContent.aspx?cid=5072&id=31365  

Japan

Draft Amendment to Standards and Specifications for Food Additives

On January 16, 2026, the Consumer Affairs Agency of Japan (CAA) released a draft amendment to part of the Notification on the “Standards and Specifications for Foods and Food Additives,” pursuant to Article 13 of the Food Sanitation Act of Japan (Act No. 233 of 1947).

Under Article 13, paragraph 1 of the Food Sanitation Act, the Prime Minister of Japan is authorized to establish standards concerning manufacturing methods, ingredients, and specifications for foods and food additives after seeking the opinions of the Food Sanitation Standards Council.

Pursuant to paragraph 2 of the same Article, foods and food additives that fall within the scope of these standards may not be manufactured, imported, distributed, or otherwise marketed if they do not comply with the specified requirements. These standards are currently stipulated in Notification No. 370 of 1959 issued by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (now the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare).

The present amendment is intended to update and revise certain provisions of the above notification to reflect current regulatory practices and conditions of use.

Main Points of the Amendment

1. Food additive: Zinc gluconate

The category of foods permitted to use zinc gluconate is revised from “foods for ill persons” (病者用食品) to “complete nutritional foods.” (総合栄養食品).

2. Food additive: Sulfites

• Soft drinks are added to the list of foods permitted to use sulfites, limited to products manufactured by dealcoholization of wine and products to which grape juice has been added.
• The maximum residue limit for sulfites is set at 0.35 g/kg, calculated as sulfur dioxide (SO₂).

Expected date of promulgation: March 2026

Effective date: Date of promulgation

For more detailed information, please refer to the following link: https://public-comment.e-gov.go.jp/pcm/detail?CLASSNAME=PCMMSTDETAIL&id=235110027&Mode=0

Australia - New Zealand

Proposal M1023 - FSANZ 2024 Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) Harmonisation

1. General introduction

In June 2025, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) published Proposal M1023 - the 2024 MRL Harmonisation Proposal, which aims to review and amend the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for residues of certain agricultural and veterinary chemicals (agvet chemicals) that may be present in food.

Proposal M1023 is an annual MRL harmonisation proposal developed by FSANZ, with the objective of aligning Australia’s MRLs with Codex Alimentarius standards and the MRLs of key trading partners, while also incorporating changes arising from the registration, use or reassessment of agricultural chemicals domestically, based on evaluations by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).

2. Public consultation and regulatory timeline

Proposal M1023 is being assessed by FSANZ under the General Procedure (Level 5), which involves a single round of public consultation.

The formal consultation period is open from 22 January 2026 until 5 March 2026 (Canberra time). Following the close of consultation, FSANZ expects to finalise the assessment and submit the proposal to the FSANZ Board for approval in early April 2026, notify the Food Ministers’ Meeting in mid-April, and formally gazette the amendments in late June 2026, provided that no request for review is made.

3. Legal scope and affected stakeholders

From a legal perspective, Proposal M1023 directly relates to Standard 1.4.2 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, together with the associated schedules, namely Schedule 20 (which prescribes MRLs for individual chemicals and food commodities) and Schedule 22 (which specifies the edible portion of each food commodity used as the basis for MRL application).

In its Administrative Assessment Report, FSANZ classified this proposal as highly complex, requiring food safety risk assessment for a large number of chemicals and commodities, with the involvement of experts in toxicology, microbiology, exposure assessment, and legal analysis.

4. Basis of the proposal and sources of MRLs considered

Proposal M1023 is developed based on three primary sources:

• FSANZ reviewed MRLs adopted at the 2024 meeting of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR) and formally approved by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) in the same year. These MRLs reflect international scientific consensus on safe residue levels in food.

• FSANZ received requests for MRL harmonisation from stakeholders, primarily businesses and regulatory authorities in countries exporting food to Australia, with the aim of avoiding technical barriers to trade where MRLs in exporting countries differ from the existing MRLs set out in Schedule 20.

• APVMA proposed amendments to MRLs to reflect changes in actual agricultural chemical use patterns in Australia, including reductions or deletions of MRLs, conversion of certain MRLs to temporary status (denoted by “T”), as well as revisions to commodity names or related exemptions.

5. Technical scale and safety assessment methodology

According to Supporting Document 1 published with the consultation package, under Proposal M1023, FSANZ considered 217 agricultural and veterinary chemicals, covering 526 chemical-food commodity combinations.

Among the chemicals proposed for inclusion in Schedule 20, 20 active ingredients had not previously been assigned an MRL in Australia. However, only two active ingredients were accepted for detailed assessment, as they met the full requirements for Health Based Guidance Values (HBGVs) from recognised sources. The remaining active ingredients were excluded from the proposal due to insufficient scientific basis for risk assessment.

In addition, no antibiotics were considered under Proposal M1023.

For MRLs proposed to be increased or newly established, FSANZ conducted dietary exposure assessments based on Australian food consumption data. These assessments included both chronic and acute exposure evaluations, with a focus on protecting sensitive population groups such as children and women of reproductive age. The results indicated that all estimated exposures were below the relevant safety thresholds and that the proposed MRLs do not pose a significant risk to Australian consumer health.

6. Key changes proposed under M1023

In terms of content, Proposal M1023 encompasses multiple types of amendments to Schedule 20.

Certain MRLs are newly established or increased to align with 2024 Codex MRLs or the MRLs of trading partner countries, where FSANZ has determined these levels to be safe based on exposure assessments.

Conversely, some MRLs are reduced or deleted following APVMA recommendations, where the chemical is no longer used or where conditions of use in Australian agriculture have changed. Some MRLs are converted to temporary status (“T”), allowing continued collection of empirical data before a long-term decision is made.

In addition, FSANZ reviewed and adjusted MRLs expressed as “All other foods except animal food commodities”, to manage residues that may occur unintentionally at low levels due to factors such as spray drift or cross-contamination within the supply chain.

Beyond numerical MRL changes, the proposal also includes technical corrections, standardisation of commodity names, and updates to exemptions to ensure the consistency and clarity of Schedule 20.

7. Tracking and verification of MRL changes in Proposal M1023

The specific MRL amendments are presented directly in Attachment A of the Call for Submissions document, which constitutes the draft legislative amendment to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. All changes to Schedule 20 and Schedule 22 are clearly set out in this document.

Supporting Document 1 provides the scientific and technical justification, including information on the origin of the proposal, safety assessments, and the rationale for each group of MRL amendments. Reviewing both documents in parallel enables a comprehensive understanding of both the legal content and the scientific basis of the proposal.

Official reference documents

• FSANZ - M1023 2024 MRL Harmonisation Proposal: https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/food-standards-code/proposals/m1023-2024-mrl-harmonisation-proposal

• Call for Submissions - Proposal M1023 (PDF): https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/sites/default/files/2026-01/M1023_CfS_0.pdf

• Supporting Document 1 - Risk assessment and proposed MRL changes (PDF): https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/sites/default/files/2026-01/M1023_SD1%20at%20CFS.pdf

• Administrative Assessment Report - Proposal M1023: https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-05/M1023_AAR.pdf