During the week of October 23rd to October 27th, several countries and regions, including Singapore and South Korea, issued policies related to food. Let’s take a look at them:

1. Israel issues instructions for special proactive inspections of imported food products.

On October 23, 2023, the Israeli Ministry of Health issued instruction (No. 520275023) regarding special proactive inspections of imported food products. The content of the instruction is as follows: In light of the war situation, pursuant to Section 86(b)(2) of the Public Health Protection (Food) Law 2015-2015, this instruction is issued to the quarantine station inspectors to expedite the customs clearance of imported food products and ensure public health protection based on risk management principles.

https://www.gov.il/he/Departments/policies/guideline-food-import

2. Singapore abolishes the requirements related to melamine in imported milk and dairy products from China.

On October 23, 2023, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) announced that starting from November 1, 2023, melamine-related requirements for imported milk, dairy products, and products containing milk from China will be abolished.

https://www.sfa.gov.sg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/import-requirements-ofspecific-food-products

3. EU revised MRLS for rafoxanide in foodstuffs of animal origin.

Rafoxanide is already included in that table as an allowed substance for bovine and ovine species, applicable to muscle, fat, liver and kidney. 

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=OJ:L_202302203

4. South Korea issues agricultural product import inspection guidelines.

On October 24, 2023, the South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) released guidelines for agricultural product import inspections.

https://www.foodsafetykorea.go.kr/portal/board/boardDetail.do

5. The U.S. has added Nepal to the list of regions affected by ASF.

According to the United States Federal Register, on October 24, 2023, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued document 2023-23483, adding Nepal to the list of regions affected by African swine fever(ASF).

https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2023-23483.pdf