regulatory updates
Highlights
Thailand: Producer Responsibility Scheme
Thailand | 12 02, 2025
In February 2025, Thailand's Pollution Control Department (PCD) announced a public hearing on the latest draft version of the EPR bill, also known as the Sustainable Packaging Management Bill. The updated draft mirrors the previous draft that was last updated in September 2024 with further clarity and alignment to the text. Key changes include the introduction of a fee for hard-to-recycle packaging, updated definitions, expanded committees and a requirement for publishing the five-year policy. The deadline for comments is on 25 February 2025.Read more
Vietnam: Extended Producer Responsibility
Vietnam | 13 02, 2025
In February 2025, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) had eluded to taking a new approach to the recycling cost norm (Fs) rate which are one of the variables included for the final amount to pay as part of the Vietnam Environmen...Read more
Europe: Sweeteners
Europe | 06 02, 2025
On 06 February 2025, the consumer advocacy group Foodwatch launched a campaign urging the European Commission and Member States to ban the artificial sweetener aspartame (E951) in food and beverages....Read more
Europe: Ultra-Processed Food
Europe | 10 02, 2025
On 10 February 2025, an international conference at Imperial College London convened public health experts, policymakers, and academics to discuss advancing regulations on ultra-processed foods (UPFs)...Read more
Others: Digital Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes
Others | 10 02, 2025
On 10 February 2025, the 156th Executive Board of the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended forwarding a draft resolution aimed at regulating the digital marketing of breast-milk substitutes. Le...Read more
Latest Updates
Indonesia BPOM Continues Stakeholder Negotiations on Nutri-Level Labeling, Industry Pushes for Longer Transition Period
Indonesia | Feb 05, 2025
On 05 February 2025, the Indonesia Food and Drug Supervisory Agency's (BPOM) Head, Taruna Ikrar confirmed that the Nutri-Level labelling regulation for processed foods is still in the drafting stage. The regulation is currently undergoing harmonisati...Read more
Indonesia Government held a cross-sector discussion on policies to control the consumption of foods high in sugar, salt, and saturated fat
Indonesia | Feb 19, 2025
On 19 February 2025, the government held a cross-sector discussion to formulate food policies, strengthen nutrition initiatives, and regulate sugar, salt, and trans fat consumption to prevent cardiovascular diseases. Head of the Ministry of Health's...Read more
Thailand Develops Salt Tax Roadmap to Curb Sodium Consumption
Thailand | Feb 17, 2025
On 17 February 2025, Thailand’s Excise Department outlined a salt tax roadmap aimed at reducing sodium intake and improving public health. The proposed tax will be implemented in phases, initially targeting non-essential snack items while exclu...Read more
EU BEUC Calls for HFSS Advertising Ban and Stricter Digital Marketing Rules to Protect Children
Europe | Feb 19, 2025
On 22 February 2025, the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) released a position paper advocating for a comprehensive ban on HFSS (high in fat, salt, or sugar) food and alcohol marketing to children (under 18s) across all media channels. BEUC argue...Read more
EFSA Sought Feedback on Authorisation of L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (L-alpha-GPC) from Soya Phospholipids (Lecithin) as Novel Food
Europe | Feb 12, 2025
On 12 February 2025, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) released the application for authorisation of L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (L-alpha-GPC) from soya phospholipids (lecithin) as a novel food.L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (L-alpha...Read more
EFSA Sought Feedback on Authorisation of Hazelnut Solids from Roasted in-shell Hazelnuts as Novel Food
Europe | Feb 12, 2025
On 12 February 2025, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) released the application for authorisation of Hazelnut Solids from Roasted in-shell Hazelnuts as a novel food.The hazelnut solids shall be used in selected food products in the European U...Read more
EFSA Sought Feedback on Authorisation of Pullulanase from GM Bacillus licheniformis Strain DP-Dzp107as New Food Enzyme
Europe | Feb 19, 2025
On 19 February 2025, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) released the application for the authorisation of pullulanase from a genetically modified Bacillus licheniformis strain DP-Dzp107 as a new food enzyme.The food enzyme catalyses the conver...Read more
EFSA Sought Feedback on Authorisation of Endo 1,4-Beta-Xylanase from GM Trichoderma reesei strain DP-Nzd66 as New Food Enzyme
Europe | Feb 19, 2025
On 19 February 2025, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) released the application for the authorisation of endo 1,4-beta-xylanase from a genetically modified Trichoderma reesei strain DP-Nzd66 as a new food enzyme.The proposed enzyme will be us...Read more