Recent Overview of Global Food Policies and Violations (12.16-12.20)

From December 16 to 20, 2024, various countries and regions, including Russia and South Korea, released multiple policies and notifications concerning food. The following is an overview based on foreign import and export policies and violation notifications.

I. Foreign Import and Export Policy Measures

1. South Korea Issues Import Inspection Instructions for Chinese Fruit and Vegetable Products
1. On December 19, the South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) issued import inspection instructions for fruit and vegetable products from China to strengthen the regulation of imported food.
2. Singapore Resumes Importing Pork from Shandong Province
1. On December 18, 2024, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) announced the resumption of pork and related product imports from China's Shandong Province, a decision that will help promote bilateral trade.
3. Mongolia Plans to Formulate Quality Management Regulations for Alcoholic Beverage Imports and Exports
1. On December 10, the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry (MOFA) of Mongolia released a proposal to draft quality safety management regulations for the import and export of alcoholic beverages, with a consultation deadline of January 10, 2025.
4. South Korea Strengthens Regulation of Chinese Dried Mushrooms and Frozen Yellow Croaker
1. On December 16, the South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety again listed Chinese dried mushrooms and frozen yellow croaker as subjects for import order inspections to enhance the food safety responsibility awareness of importers.
5. Russia Intensifies Testing on a Food Company in Zhejiang
1. Starting December 16, 2024, the Russian Federal Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Service implemented enhanced laboratory testing on the seafood products of a food company in Zhejiang, China, due to detected arsenic levels exceeding standards.

II. Export Violation Notifications

1. Exported Chestnuts and Roasted Seaweed Found Non-Compliant
1. According to the European Union's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), on December 18, 2024, exported chestnuts from China were reported as non-compliant due to fungal contamination; on December 17, roasted seaweed was also reported for exceeding iodine levels, reminding exporters to strictly adhere to import country standards.
2. U.S. Automatically Withholds Export of Goji Berries and Dried PlumsA
1. The U.S. FDA recently updated its import alert measures, automatically withholding goji berries and dried plums from related enterprises, indicating stringent export regulation.
3. Kiwi Fruit Found to Contain Harmful Organisms
1. According to the Russian Federal Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Service, from December 1 to 12, kiwifruit imported from China was found to contain the quarantine pest, the white peach scale.
4. EU Notification Regarding Exported Dog Chew Toys and Ceramic Plates
1. On December 16, 2024, the EU reported that the exported dog chew toys and ceramic plates from China were non-compliant, involving multiple countries; exporting enterprises should avoid using unauthorized substances.
5. Food Violations in Japan and Australia
1. The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reported that exported peanuts and fresh onions from China were non-compliant; the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry updated November's import food violations, involving six batches of non-compliant products.
6. FDA Red List Update
1. The latest update from the U.S. FDA website shows that three Chinese enterprises have been listed on the red list due to goji berries and apple soda, with related products subject to automatic withholding.
7. Food Violations in Exports to Japan and South Korea
1. On December 19, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reported multiple batches of non-compliant food; in December 2024, exported food from China to South Korea was processed as returned or discarded due to multiple violations.
8. EU Week 50 Alert Notification
1. According to news from the EU's official website, nine violations involving food related to China were reported in Week 50 of 2024, prompting exporting enterprises to strengthen product oversight and ensure compliance with import country safety standards.

Through the above policies and notifications, it is evident that international food trade regulations are becoming increasingly stringent, necessitating greater compliance and attention to product standards by exporting enterprises.