On April 25, 2025, we hosted a free Chinese webinar on the key points and considerations in food registration in different countries and US food label compliance. Many questions were raised during the webinar.We have collected the questions and made a Q&A summary.

On May 9, 2025, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) issued 2 new food raw materials. Comments are welcomed before June 8, 2025.

On May 13, 2025, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) issued 2 new food related products for public comments. Comments are welcomed before June 12, 2025.

China NHC issued notifications regarding the acceptance of “three new foods”. The applications for 7 new food additives and 1 new food related materials have been received.

On March 27, 2025, the National Food Safety Standard — Procedures for Safety Assessment of Microorganisms Used in Food (GB 31615.2—2025) was officially released and will come into effect on March 16, 2026.

The FDA regulates GRAS ingredients in animal food through the GRAS Notification Program. Food companies and manufacturers may either submit a GRAS Notice (GRN) to the FDA to get a “No Questions” letter, or independently draw the GRAS conclusion based on the opinions of the panel group.

GRAS stands for Generally Recognized As Safe. It is the FDA primary framework for managing the safety of food ingredients. To obtain GRAS status, a company must compile a complete English‑language GRAS dossier and have it reviewed independently by a qualified panel of experts, who must reach a consensus on the ingredient’s safety. The dossier is a technical compilation that systematically explains the substance’s characteristics and its safety for consumption. Under 21 CFR Part 170 Subpart E, a GRAS notice must contain seven statutory parts.

On April 11, 2025, we hosted a free Chinese webinar on the key points and considerations in health food labels. Many questions were raised during the webinar.

As defined in the Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, food additive shall mean any substance not normally consumed as a food in itself and not normally used as a characteristic ingredient of food, whether or not it has nutritive value, the intentional addition of which to food for a technological purpose in the manufacture, processing, preparation, treatment, packaging, transport or storage of such food results, or may be reasonably expected to result, in it or its by-products becoming directly or indirectly a component of such foods.

Recently, CIRS Group successfully assisted Penglai Marine in obtaining Self-GRAS Notice for its anhydrous magnesium citrate. It signifies that Penglai Marine’s anhydrous magnesium citrate may now be legally marketed and utilized as a safe food ingredient within the U.S. market, marking a significant step forward in Penglai Marine’s internationalization efforts.