2020 is a year of steady development of novel food ingredients (NFI). The National Health Commission (NHC) has accepted applications for 10 NFI, issued approval announcements for 4 NFI, and concluded the review of 7 substances. In addition, The National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) released 7 NFI for soliciting opinions. Foodmate has compiled relevant information on the acceptance and approval of NFI in 2020 for the reference of relevant practitioners.

1. Acceptance of NFI in 2020

In 2020, NHC accepted 10 applications for novel food ingredients, of which only γ-aminobutyric acid is imported NFI, and the others are domestic NFI. Among the NFI accepted in 2020, Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge oil has obtained legal status through the termination of review on September 28, 2020. Other novel food ingredients are in the regular review process.

2. The status of soliciting public opinions on NFI

In 2020, CFSA issued a total of 7 novel food ingredients for public comments. Among them, Sodium Hyaluronate and Milk minerals were approved as NFI in 2008 and 2009 respectively (called new resource foods at that time). However, the scope of use on Sodium Hyaluronate needed to be expanded and there are some differences between the quality specifications of milk mineral salt and the original announcement of it. Therefore, they should re-apply for NFI. In addition, Haematococcus pluvialis was approved as a NFI in 2010 (called the new resource food at that time). In 2020, Haematococcus pluvialis oil, which was solicited for comments, adopted extraction and other processes to increase the content of characteristic components in the raw material. However, the use range and recommended intake of Haematococcus pluvialis oil (converted to the total amount of Astaxanthin) are consistent with Haematococcus pluvialis.

3. Approval of NFI in 2020

In 2020, NHC issued novel food ingredients approval announcement (Announcement No. 4 of 2020), involving 4 NFI. Except for Penthorum chinense Pursh, which is a novel plant-based food material, the remaining 3 products (Lactobacillus helveticus R0052, Bifidobacterium infantis R0033, Bifidobacterium bifidum R0071) are all strains used in infant food. At present, the number of strains that can be used in infant food has increased to 12.

4. Termination of review of NFI in 2020

In 2020, a total of 7 substances have obtained the approval conclusion of the termination of the review. Under normal circumstances, the conclusion of the termination of the review is to approve the use of the substance as a food ingredient.

At present, 54 raw materials have been listed on the official website of NHC for the termination of review of NFI. According to the statistics of Foodmate, the main reasons are as follows:

(1) It is substantially equivalent to the announced NFI, such as γ-aminobutyric acid (the production process is different from the original announcement), etc.

(2) It can be managed as common foods, such as oat seedlings, milk protein concentrate, etc.

(3) It has local traditional eating habits, and it is recommended to manage it in accordance with Article 29 of the Food Safety Law, such as Millettia speciosa Champ powder and Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Sprengel leaf;

(4) Management should be based on both food and Chinese medicinal materials, such as Angelica, Dendrobium officinale, etc.

(5) There are relevant national standards and industry standards, such as soybean oligosaccharides, Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge oil, etc.

After the institutional reform in 2018, the approval of NFI has stabilized. Competent departments have become clearer and more scientific in the management of NFI. If you have any doubts or needs related to the registration and declaration of "three novel" products, please contact us without hesitation.

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Please note: Original English article of Business Division of Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance of Global Foodmate, please indicate the source from the Global Foodmate if reprint.

Business Division of Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance of Global Foodmate provides food standards & regulations research, labelling compliance consulting/Chinese label design, industry public opinion monitoring and analysis, registration services (of Infant formula, FSMP, Health food, Novel Food Ingredients, Novel Food Additives, New Varieties of Food-Related Products and Overseas manufacturers of imported food) and other comprehensive food safety solutions for domestic and overseas enterprises and institutions in food industry. 

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