CIRS Testing is to host a free webinar on the Updated Overview and Analysis of Chinese Food Contact Material Standards on March 27, 2025 at 9:30 (EST). This session offers an in-depth look at the latest developments in the regulatory framework and standards for food contact materials in China. It is crucial for manufacturers, regulators, and industry stakeholders who need to stay updated with Chinese standards to ensure compliance. Whether you work in production or regulatory roles, this webinar will offer essential insights into effectively managing the complexities of food contact materials in China.

On February 18, 2025, the Korea Cosmetic Industry Institute (KCII) announced the list of implementing agencies for the 2025 Global Cosmetics Regulatory Consulting Support Program. CIRS Group Korea, the South Korean subsidiary of CIRS Group, has once again been successfully selected. This marks the sixth consecutive year that CIRS Group Korea has been chosen as an implementing agency for this program, demonstrating the company's expertise and influence in the field of global cosmetics regulations.

On January 7, 2025, China's National Health Commission updated the termination review list for new food ingredients. The PQQ disodium salt, produced by fermentation using the Hyphomicrobium denitrificans MQ004-2 strain by Hubei Magic Health Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Maiggic”), was included in the list. The review concluded that it is substantially equivalent to the PQQ disodium salt announced in the 2023 No. 8 notice. Except for the production process, other requirements align with those of the already announced PQQ disodium salt.

Recently, CIRS supported Zhuhai Long Health Biotechnology (hereinafter “Long Health”) in achieving Self-GRAS notification for its 2’-Fucosyllactose (2’-FL), a key component of its HMOs product line. It not only underscores Long Health's strong R&D capabilities and outstanding product quality, but also marks a significant advancement for the company in its expansion into the global nutrition and health market. Additionally, it serves as a powerful testament to CIRS's professional service capabilities.

On February 10, 2025, National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China (NHC) issued an announcement (No. 1 of 2025) for “Three New Foods” with 20 products approved, including 5 new food raw materials, 8 new food additives, and 7 food-related products.

In the wave of globalization in the food industry, innovation and safety are inseparable. An increasing number of companies are actively pursuing the FDA GRAS notifications for new food ingredients. Unlike self-GRAS, the FDA GRAS require the formation of GRAS evaluation materials, and when GRAS materials are submitted to the FDA, the FDA issue the inventory notices on its official website and updates information periodically. The latest update to this inventory was on January 7, 2025.

According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Official Journal of the European Union, in the last quarter of 2024, EFSA published assessment results for 5 Novel Foods (NF), including the application for 2 new NF and the modification for 3 novel food already authorized. Additionally, EFSA requested scientific and technical assistance as regards the evaluation of 1 Novel Food.

As of the end of December 2024, the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China (NHC) issued four announcements (No. 2 of 2024, No. 3 of 2024, No. 5 of 2024, No. 6 of 2024) regarding “Three New Foods” (new food raw materials, new food additives and food-related products). A total of 54 Three New Foods have been approved in 2024, 30 of which are new food additives, including those with expanded scope.

According to the official announcements issued by the NHC and the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA), throughout 2024: 30 new food raw materials applications were accepted; 13 new food raw materials were issued for public comments; 5 products were rejected for approval; and 9 substances were included in the termination of review list.

On January 22, 2025, CIRS Japan (Japanese name: CIRSジャパン株式会社) was officially established in Tokyo. As another subsidiary of CIRS Group in Asia, the establishment of CIRS Japan marks a significant milestone for CIRS Group’s global strategic layout.