Ministry of Health, Measures for the Administration of Novel Foods

卫生部新资源食品管理办法

October 02, 2007 | BY

clpstaff &clp articles

Genetically modified food requires safety assessment before placing on the market.

Clp Reference: 1740/07.07.02 Promulgated: 2007-07-02 Effective: 2007-12-01

Promulgated: July 2 2007
Effective: December 1 2007

Applicability: The term "novel foods" refers to:

(1) animals, plants and micro-organisms that are not conventionally used for human consumption in China;

(2) food ingredients isolated from animals, plants and micro-organisms and that are not conventionally used for human consumption in China;

(3) new varieties of micro-organisms used in the course of food processing; and

(4) food ingredients to which has been applied a new production process, where that process gives rise to changes in the composition or structure of the food ingredients (Article 2).

The administration of genetically modified foods and food additives shall follow relevant state regulations (Article 27).

Main Contents: Work units or individuals that produce and deal in or that use novel foods shall submit the products to the Ministry of Health for safety assessment, examination and approval before they are put on the market for sale (Article 6).

Product labels for novel foods and food products containing novel foods shall comply with the relevant state provisions. The name of the novel food indicated on the label shall be the same as that in the announcement of the Ministry of Health (Article 21). Enterprises that produce and deal in novel foods may not claim or hint that the food has curative effects or specific health care functions (Article 22).

Related Legislation: PRC Food Hygiene Law, Oct 30 1995, CLP 1995 No.10 p.8

Repealed Legislation: Measures for Administration of the Hygiene of Novel Foods, Jul 28 1990; and Measures for Administration of the Hygiene of Genetically Modified Food, Apr 8 2002, CLP 2002 No.4 p.11

clp reference:1740/07.07.02promulgated:2007-07-02effective:2007-12-01

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