Food safety and hygiene newsletter Oct. 2025

On October 7, 2025 Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) released an amendment to the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for 4 Pesticides and Veterinary drugs : Butachlor, Etofenprox, Spinetoram and Prallethrin in certain food products. The amendment will be implemented immediately upon publication. However, certain food products will be implemented one year after publication. The change is as follows:

• MRLs in food have been Immediate revised for the following 3 substances: Butachlor, Etofenprox, Spinetoram.
• MRLs in food have been newly established for the following substance: Prallethrin.

For example for detail the change implemented immediately in the table below:

Foods to which residue limits will apply one year after publication:

• Etofenprox:  Corn, soybeans, potatoes, sugar beets, daikon radish roots (including radishes), Chinese cabbage, lettuce (including salad greens and lettuce), other umbelliferous vegetables, watermelon (including the peel), melon (including the peel), chicken fat, other poultry fats, chicken eggs, and other poultry eggs
• Spinetoram: Rice (brown rice), potatoes, sugar beets, watercress, Chinese cabbage, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach), kyona (Japanese mustard spinach), bok choy, cauliflower, endive, green onions (including leeks), parsley, celery, other umbelliferous vegetables, pumpkins (including squash), Japanese cucumbers, oranges (including navel oranges), grapefruit, Japanese pears, Western pears, quince, apricots (including apricots), plums, strawberries, other berries, and other spices.
• Butachlor : Rice (brown rice)

For example for detail the change that will be implemented one year after the date of publication are in the table below:

For details see attached link: https://www.caa.go.jp/policies/policy/standards_evaluation/pesticide_residues/notice/assets/standards_cms208_2501007_01.pdf

EU

Quarter 3-2025_Rapid Alert System For Food And Feed

Data from the European Union’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) indicates a total of 1,318 food recall alerts in Q3 2025. This figure serves as a clear signal that the quality of imported products entering the European market is facing significant challenges, particularly in terms of food safety violations. Notably, the frequency of medium to high-risk violations continues to be reported at a concerning rate.

Table 1. Number of Recalled Products by Hazard Category

Analysis reveals that three major categories account for nearly 70% of all alerts: Contaminants (349 cases), Microbiological hazards (298 cases), and Pesticide residues (226 cases).

I. Details of the reported hazards

1. Contaminants – 349 cases (26%)

This category recorded the highest number of violations, accounting for 26% of total recalls. Issues stem from raw material quality and processing/storage practices:

• Mycotoxins: Mainly Aflatoxin and Ochratoxin, with ~155 cases. High-risk products include nuts (pistachios, groundnuts), cereal flours, rice, dried spices, and dried figs.
• Heavy Metals: Over 40 cases, primarily involving lead and cadmium. Contamination spans mollusks, cereals, crustaceans, fish, fruits and vegetables, herbs and spices, meat (excluding poultry), and nuts.
• Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons (MOAH): ~25 cases, found in nuts, fats and oils, spices, and herbs.
• Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids: ~17 cases, mostly in spices, herbs, and teas.
• Other Contaminants: Histamine exceeding MRL (10 cases) in fish (mainly tuna); 3-MCPD (8 cases) in vegetable oils, soy sauce, biscuits; high HMF in honey; formaldehyde migration from food contact materials.

2. Microbiological Hazards – 298 cases (22%)

Violations are mainly due to poor hygiene and processing controls:

• Salmonella: 169 cases across various product categories.
• Listeria monocytogenes: 61 cases, primarily in seafood and cheese products.
• Escherichia coli: 20 cases across dairy, produce, and desserts.
• Other pathogens: Vibrio in crustaceans; Bacillus cereus in dried mushrooms and pancakes.

3. Pesticide Residues – 226 cases (18%)

• Chlorpyrifos & Chlorpyrifos-ethyl: Most frequently detected, especially in rice, cumin, lime, bell peppers, and herbal teas.
• Acetamiprid: Frequently exceeded MRLs in bell peppers, cucumbers, apricots, pears, and rice.
• Other pesticides: Flonicamid (in peppers, melons, tomatoes, tea), Carbendazim (in blueberries, raisins), Spirotetramat (in peppers), Anthraquinone (in tea), Oxamyl (in frozen strawberries).

4. Foreign Bodies – 60 cases (5%)

Physical hazards posing injury or choking risks were found across processed foods and animal feed:

• Metal fragments: Most reported, found in bread, pastries, sausages, cheese, and feed.
• Plastic fragments: Second most common, found in white beans, spring rolls, snacks, and pet food.
• Glass shards: Frequently detected in ready-to-eat foods, yogurt, ice cream, and anchovy fillets.
• Other foreign bodies: Rubber bands, wire, small stones, rubber gloves, screws.

5. Allergens – 58 cases (4%)

• Major allergens: Milk (in confectionery, chocolate), Gluten/Wheat (in “gluten-free” labeled products), Nuts/Peanuts.
• Sulfites/SO₂: Undeclared in products like palm sugar, frozen/brined shrimp, dried mango.
• Labeling errors: Allergen ingredients not properly highlighted (e.g., bold font) on labels.

6. Novel Foods – 56 cases (4%)

Violations stem from the use of unauthorized substances or ingredients:

• Cannabidiol (CBD) & Cannabinoids: Most common (CBD, Δ-9-THC, HHC) in candies, teas, alcoholic beverages.
• Psychoactive substances: Phenibut and synthetic compounds (BPC-157, DMAE) found in supplements.
• Unauthorized mushrooms & herbs: Cordyceps, Ganoderma lucidum, Kratom, Kanna used without EU approval.

7. Food Additives – 47 cases (4%)

• Titanium Dioxide (E171): Most frequent violation, illegally used in confectionery, cereals, sauces.
• Sulfites/SO₂: Exceeded limits in frozen shrimp and palm sugar.
• Colorants: Tartrazine (E102), Sunset Yellow (E110) exceeded limits in candies, cereals, beverages.
• Preservatives: Benzoic acid and potassium sorbate exceeded limits or used illegally in soft drinks, nectars, syrups.

8. Veterinary Drugs & Antibiotics – 15 cases (1%)

• Nitrofurans (AOZ, NPAOZ): Banned antibiotic metabolites found in frozen shrimp, catfish, and eggs.
• Other antibiotic residues: Doxycycline, Enrofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin in poultry and beef.
• Missing veterinary checks: Shipments lacking mandatory border inspection documentation.

9. Other Violations – 215 cases (16%)

This category includes a wide range of issues related to physical quality, hygiene, labeling, and banned substances:

• Physical/Hygiene Quality:
  • Cold Chain Breakdown: Common violation affecting perishable goods like tuna, shrimp, poultry.
  • Sensory defects: Bulging cans, off-smell/taste, premature fermentation (milk, beer), abnormal color/flavor (coconut, soy).
  • Poor hygiene: Unsanitary transport and storage conditions.
• Labeling & Certification Issues: Missing/incorrect Health Certificates, improper documentation, incorrect/missing labeling (expiry date, origin), unauthorized health claims.
• Excessive/Banned Substances: Excessive Vitamin D, B6, Zinc; banned textile dyes (Sudan I, III, IV); unauthorized GMOs.

II. Violations involving products from Vietnam

In Q3 2025, a total of 19 alert cases were reported involving products originating from Vietnam. The most frequently cited hazard category was Pesticide Residues (5 cases), followed by alerts related to Antibiotics, Food Additives, and Microbiological Contamination.

1. Antibiotics and Veterinary Control

• Nitrofurans (AOZ): The most critical violation was the repeated detection of Nitrofurans (metabolites of banned antibiotics) in frozen shrimp and catfish.
• Lack of Veterinary Oversight: One shipment of soup powder was denied entry due to failure to undergo mandatory veterinary inspection at the EU border.

2. Pesticide Residues

• Chemical Diversity: Multiple pesticide residues such as dinotefuran and tricyclazole were found in lychees and rambutan.
• MRL Exceedances: Violations included excessive levels of anthraquinone in ground pepper, ethion and fipronil in dried chili and dragon fruit.

3. Food Additives and Allergens

• Unauthorized Additives: Detection of colorants such as Sunset Yellow FCF (E110) and Titanium Dioxide (E171), and preservatives like Potassium Sorbate (E202) in candy products.
• Undeclared Sulfites: Found in dried mango, along with missing allergen declarations (soy, seafood, fish) on soup seasoning labels.

4. Microbiological and Other Hazards

• Microbiological Contamination: Presence of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes was confirmed.
• Product Integrity Issues: Whole coconuts were reported as damaged and accompanied by inadequate usage instructions.

III. Conclusion and Recommendations

The wide scope of violations recorded in the RASFF Q3 2025 report highlights an urgent need to strengthen cross-border quality management standards. To minimize recall risks and maintain competitiveness, exporters should prioritize the following actions:

• Strict Input Control: Implement rigorous monitoring of raw materials and farming environments to eliminate contamination risks. Verification procedures must ensure the absence of banned substances and compliance with Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides.
• Enhanced Hygiene Systems: Invest in robust sanitation protocols and strict temperature control during processing to prevent microbiological contamination (e.g., Salmonella, Listeria). Maintaining an uninterrupted cold chain from production to transportation is essential.
• Compliance with International Labeling Standards: Ensure accurate and complete labeling, especially the declaration of all allergens (e.g., Sulfites, Gluten, Milk) in accordance with EU regulations. The use of food additives and novel ingredients must be verified for legality and permitted dosage.

Implementing these quality control measures is not only a regulatory requirement but also a strategic approach to mitigate operational risks and safeguard consumer trust.

Korea

Expansion of Food Categories Eligible for Sodium and Sugar Reduction Labeling on 20/10/2025

On October 20, 2025, The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of Korea (MFDS) has issued Notification No. 2025-68 to partially revise the “Labeling Standards for Sodium and Sugar Reduction” (나트륨·당류 저감 표시기준), aiming to promote the production and distribution of sodium- and sugar-reduced products and to broaden consumer choices. Effective from October 20, 2025, this regulation adds several new food categories to the list eligible for sodium and sugar reduction labeling, responding to the growing demand for healthier food options.

Compared to Notification No. 2024-63 (dated October 17, 2024), the new version significantly expands the list of applicable food items. Key additions include various types of bread (excluding pizza), meat extract products, and fish sausages for sodium reduction labeling, as well as chocolate and related products for sugar reduction labeling. The updated Annex provides detailed descriptions to ensure transparency and ease of application.

1. Expansion of Sodium Reduction Labeling Scope

• Addition of 3 new categories:
  • Bread (빵류): Expanded from only pizza to include bagel (베이글), baguette (바게트), ciabatta (치아바타), croissant (크루아상), sliced bread (식빵), morning bread (모닝빵), and multigrain bread (곡물빵). This reflects the need to reduce sodium in everyday bread products commonly consumed in Korean and Western diets.
  • Meat extract products (식육추출가공품): Includes soup/stew (국·탕) and hot pot dishes (찌개·전골). These traditional Korean dishes often contain high sodium levels due to seasoning and are now encouraged to be reformulated for better health.
  • Fish sausages (어육소시지): Applies only to snack-type products (간식용), excluding those used as side dishes. This targets products for children and light snacks, where sodium content is typically high due to processing.

2. Expansion of Sugar Reduction Labeling Scope

• Addition of 4 new categories related to chocolate—a commonly high-sugar food:
  • Chocolate (초콜릿).
  • Milk chocolate (밀크초콜릿).
  • Semi-finished chocolate (준초콜릿).
  • Processed chocolate products (초콜릿가공품): Includes chocolate confectionery (초코과자) and chocolate-type items (초콜릿 형태). This helps control sugar intake in sweets, especially for children and the elderly.

This amendment reflects MFDS’s ongoing efforts to promote a healthier lifestyle by reducing sodium and sugar consumption. By expanding the scope of food categories eligible for reduction labeling, the authority not only supports businesses in developing health-conscious products but also empowers consumers to identify and choose suitable food options. Businesses are advised to comply with the new standards to ensure legal conformity and meet market demands.

Detailed information is available on the official MFDS website or through official contact channels.
Source of Notification: MFDS 제2025-68호