New Food Policies in Five Countries, 10 Violations Exposed!

In the week from December 30, 2024, to January 3, 2025, South Korea, Japan, and other countries and regions announced several policies and reports regarding food. This article will detail foreign import and export policy measures and reports of violations.

I. Foreign Import and Export Policy Measures

Kyrgyzstan Plans to Suspend White Sugar Imports
The Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry of Kyrgyzstan announced on December 26, 2024, that it plans to suspend white sugar imports to support domestic producers and create conditions for enhancing beet production and quality next year.

South Korea Strengthens Food Import Inspection Plan for 2025 Lunar New Year
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) of South Korea released a plan on January 2, 2025, to strengthen food import inspections for the 2025 Lunar New Year.

Japan Strengthens Inspections on Chinese Edible Mushrooms
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan issued announcement 1226 No. 1 on December 26, 2024, announcing enhanced inspections on two types of edible mushrooms and their simple processed products from China.

South Korea Issues Import Inspection Instructions for Chinese Carrots and Vegetable Processing Products
The MFDS of South Korea released import inspection instructions on January 2, 2025, targeting Chinese carrots and vegetable processing products containing carrots.

II. Export Violation Reports

EU Reports Non-Compliant Exported Tableware from China
According to the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), on January 2, 2025, the EU reported non-compliance regarding tableware exported from China. Exporting companies must strictly comply with the importing country's requirements to ensure the safety of food and related products and avoid export risks.

Salmonella Detected in Chinese Exported Black Tea
According to RASFF, on December 27, 2024, the EU reported that black tea exported from China was non-compliant due to the detection of Salmonella. Exporting companies should strictly follow the importing country's requirements and monitor the presence of pathogenic bacteria in their products to ensure safety.

Pesticide Residues Detected in Frozen Peeled Peaches Exported from China
According to RASFF, on December 30, 2024, the EU reported that frozen peeled peaches exported from China were non-compliant due to exceeding pesticide residue limits. Non-compliant products have been sold to Croatia and Germany. Exporting companies must strictly inspect pesticide residues in their products to ensure safety.

EU Reports Non-Compliant Spoons and Kitchenware Products from China
According to RASFF, on December 27 and 28, 2024, the EU reported non-compliance regarding spoons and kitchenware products exported from China. Exporting companies need to be aware of the migration levels of various substances in food contact materials, ensuring food and related product safety.

FDA Automatic Detention of Chinese Food Products (December 2024 Summary)
Since December 2024, the U.S. FDA has implemented automatic detention measures on relevant products from several Chinese companies.

Violations of Chinese Food Exports to South Korea (December 2024 Summary)
In December 2024, violations involving seafood, processed foods, and agricultural products in exports from China to South Korea were reported. Non-compliant food and related products have been returned to the exporting country or disposed of.

EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) Reports (Week 52 of 2024)
According to the EU's official website, in the reports for Week 52 of 2024, RASFF reported seven cases of non-compliance regarding Chinese food and related products. Exporting companies must strictly comply with the importing country's requirements to avoid using unauthorized substances in the EU, check for pesticide residues in products, and monitor the migration levels of substances in food contact materials to ensure safety.