November 14, 2024 - The UK has revised the Bread and Flour Regulations 1998 to update the relevant definitions, ingredient requirements, enforcement provisions, etc., to align with the application and modifications of the Food Safety Act and to comply with the EU standards, and to introduce transitional provisions to safeguard a smooth transition in the market. The main contents include:

(1) Some provisions come into effect on December 13, 2024, and important provisions related to flour fortification (addition of folic acid, etc.) and improvement notification come into effect on December 13, 2026;

(2) Amendment of definitions: adding a new definition of "common wheat" (Triticumaestivum L.) in the Interpretation section; deleting the definition of "flour treating agent"; clarifying the definition of "whole wheat"; and adding a new definition of "whole wheat" (Triticum vulgare). Delete the definition of "flour treating agent"; clarify that "whole wheat flour" is the entire product obtained from the milling of clean grains;　

(3) Adjustment of flour composition requirements: Specific requirements are stipulated for common wheat flour, except for whole-wheat flour and flour produced by small-scale mills (with an annual production capacity of no more than 500 metric tons and for the past three years); the requirements for the addition of calcium carbonate, iron, and nicotinic acid to flour are adjusted to include calcium carbonate (≥300mg/100g, ≤455mg/100g), iron (1.65mg/100g to 2.1mg/100g), and iron (1.65mg/100g to 2.1mg/100g), respectively. 100g to 2.1mg/100g), niacin (≥ 2.40mg/100g); folic acid must be added and the amount of folic acid added to 0.250mg/100g;　　

(4) Transitional provisions state that an authorized officer of the FDA may not issue a notice of improvement under the new regulations for products placed on the market or labeled before December 13, 2026, that did not constitute a violation under the old regulations at that time, in order to safeguard the lawful sale of established products in the marketplace.

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