Food safety and hygiene newsletter August 2024
This is an electronic newsletter updating regulations and laws on food hygiene and safety in domestic and international markets, August 2024 issue.
Viet Nam
On August 19, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam and the General Administration of Customs of China signed three important protocols on the export of frozen durians, fresh coconuts and crocodiles from Vietnam to the Chinese market.
The signed protocols include:
- Protocol on inspection, phytosanitary inspection and food safety for frozen durian exported from Vietnam to China
- Protocol on phytosanitary requirements for fresh coconuts exported from Vietnam to China
- Protocol on quarantine and health requirements for farmed crocodiles exported from Vietnam to China.
The event will pave the way for the export of fresh coconuts, frozen durians and crocodiles to the Chinese market. This is an important step forward in the agricultural trade relationship between the two countries, especially for Vietnam's agricultural sector. These protocols open up opportunities for Vietnamese agricultural products, and the export potential of these products is expected to increase next year. In addition, there are also challenges for businesses in ensuring food safety and hygiene according to Chinese standards.
The US
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an emergency order to stop the use of the pesticide dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (Dacthal) on August 6, 2024
On August 6, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the emergency suspension of all registrations of the pesticide dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (PDCA, also known as Dacthal) under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to address the risk of serious human health problems, especially to unborn babies.
DCPA is a pesticide registered for the control of faij weeds in both agricultural and non-agricultural settings, primarily used on crops such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, and onions. In May 2023, the EPA published its assessment of occupational and residential risks from products containing DCPA. The assessment found health risks associated with the use and application of DCPA even with the use of personal protective equipment and engineering controls. The most serious risks are associated with pregnant women. EPA estimates that pregnant women are exposed to 4-20 times the level EPA estimates to be safe for the fetus. In April 2024, EPA issued a public notice of significant health risks to fetuses and pregnant women exposed to DCPA.
Fetuses whose pregnant mothers are exposed to DCPA, sometimes without even knowing that exposure has occurred, may experience changes in fetal thyroid hormone levels, and these changes are often associated with low birth weight, impaired brain development, reduced IQ, and impaired motor skills later in life, some of which may be irreversible.
This emergency order is effective immediately due to the urgency of the situation.
For details, see the attached link: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-issues-emergency-order-stop-use-pesticide-dacthal-address-serious-health-risk-4
Taiwan
Draft Amendment to the Maximum Level of Cadmium in Chocolate Products Announced on 14/08/2024.
On 14 August, the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) announced a draft amendment to the “Hygiene Standards for Contaminants and Toxins in Food”, proposing new maximum levels of Cadmium in Chocolate and Cocoa Powder.
Back in November 2023, the TFDA proposed a draft amendment to the Maximum Level of Cadmium in Chocolate Products ( https://mrls.skhd.com.vn/en/dai-loan-de-xuat-sua-doi-bo-sung-quy-dinh-chat-nhiem-ban-va-doc-to-trong-thuc-pham-co-hieu-luc-tu-01072024.html )with a total cocoa solids content exceeding 50%. Following the public consultation, TFDA has re-evaluated and expanded the scope of the regulation. The current amendments include chocolate products with varying cocoa solids content, aiming to control the risk of cadmium contamination across a wider range of chocolate products.
The new proposed maximum levels of cadmium in chocolate and cocoa powder are as follows:
|
Food |
Max. Cadmium Limit (mg/kg) |
||
|
Current |
Propose |
||
|
Chocolate, total cocoa solids (on dry matter basis) |
≥20%, ＜30 |
- |
0.3 |
|
≥30%, ＜50% |
- |
0.7 |
|
|
≥50%, ＜70% |
- |
0.8 |
|
|
≥70% |
- |
0.9 |
|
|
Cocoa powder |
- |
2.0 |
|
Notes
"Chocolate" refers to solid products made from cocoa ingredients such as cocoa butter, cocoa powder or cocoa mass. These products may contain sugar, milk or food additives but must not contain any fillers. The minimum total cocoa solids content of chocolate must comply with its labeling requirements. Filled chocolate and spreadable chocolate are not subject to this regulation.
"Cocoa powder" is produced by pressing cocoa mass to remove cocoa butter or by grinding roasted cocoa beans. It contains 100% total cocoa solids. Therefore, the proposed maximum level does not apply to cocoa powder beverages containing other ingredients, such as milk powder or sugar.
These amendments are scheduled to come into effect on 1 January 2025. Interested parties may submit comments within 60 days of publication.
For details, see attached link: https://www.fda.gov.tw/TC/newsContent.aspx?cid=5072&id=30700
|
This is an electronic newsletter updating regulations and laws on food hygiene and safety in domestic and international markets; Compiled by the Advisory Department of Eurofins Sac Ky Hai Dang based on government official pages of the countries, published every month. We encourage you to use this as a reference channel for information and exemption from liability related to making business decisions at your company or other similar activities. For detailed inquiries, please contact:
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