,"China’s National Health Commission (NHC), through the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA), has launched a public consultation on eight new food raw materials, following their completion of technical reviews by the Expert Review Committee. The consultation was released on 18 November 2025, in accordance with the Food Safety Law of the People’s Republic of China and the Administrative Measures for the Safety Review of New Food Raw Materials. Stakeholders may submit feedback until 18 December 2025.
The draft announcement covers the following eight new food raw materials, each with detailed specifications, recommended intake levels, usage restrictions, safety indicators, and testing methods:
1. Peony Seed Oil (牡丹籽油)
Derived from the seeds of Paeonia ostii and Paeonia rockii, produced through pressing, decolorization, and deodorization. Contains high levels of unsaturated fatty acids—oleic, linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid. Not permitted for infant foods. The previous 2011 announcement is updated to reflect revised botanical sources and removal of the ≤10 g/day intake limit.
2. Nekemias grossedentata Leaf Polyphenols (显齿蛇葡萄叶多酚)
Extracted from the leaves of Nekemias grossedentata via ethanol extraction. Recommended intake ≤470 mg/day (based on 85% polyphenol content). Approved use in dairy products, beverages, jellies, cocoa/chocolate, candies, frozen products and alcoholic beverages. Infants, pregnant and breastfeeding women should not consume.
3. Cyclocarya Paliurus Leaf Polyphenols (青钱柳叶多酚)
Produced from Cyclocarya paliurus leaves through hot-water extraction. Recommended intake ≤3 g/day. Permitted in multiple food categories similar to the above polyphenols. Not suitable for infants, pregnant women or breastfeeding women.
4. L-Theanine (Fermentation Method) (L-茶氨酸)
Produced via fermentation using Escherichia coli TH5-1, followed by crystallization and drying. Purity ≥98.5%. Recommended intake ≤250 mg/day. Approved for use in dairy, beverages, baked goods, cocoa/chocolate, and confectionery. Not suitable for infants, pregnant or breastfeeding women. Includes detailed microbial and chemical specifications.
5. Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis XLTG11 (动物双歧杆菌乳亚种 XLTG11)
A probiotic strain isolated from healthy children, approved for inclusion in the List of Strains Permitted for Infant Foods. Must comply with requirements under GB 31639 and be free from Cronobacter spp.
6. Mycoprotein from Fusarium compactum (紧密镰刀菌蛋白)
Fermented, de-nucleated and inactivated fungal protein from Fusarium compactum MM-135. Protein ≥50% (dry basis). Recommended for general consumption but not suitable for infants, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or those allergic to fungi. Microbiological and heavy metal limits provided.
7. Auxenochlorella pyrenoidosa (蛋白核小球藻)
An algal ingredient produced by culturing and drying Auxenochlorella pyrenoidosa. Contains ≥35% protein. Updated taxonomy, production process and quality specifications replace earlier announcements. Not permitted for infant foods.
8. Plant Sterols (植物甾醇)
Produced from soybean, rapeseed, corn, sunflower, or tall oil using either saponification/extraction or esterification/distillation. Contains ≥90% total sterols. Composition requirements updated, with a two-year transition period provided for tall-oil-derived sterols. Not for infant foods. Must meet strict limits for lead, arsenic, and benzo[a]pyrene.
The consultation documents also include detailed appendices, such as sensory and physicochemical specifications, microbiological criteria, and testing methods for polyphenols, sterols, L-theanine protein residues, and fungal detection.
Industry stakeholders are requested to submit comments via email to xspyl@cfsa.net.cn
, with the subject “新食品原料意见反馈” (Feedback on New Food Raw Materials). Submissions after the deadline will not be accepted.
This consultation signals China’s continued regulatory expansion for novel food ingredients and aims to update botanical sources, production processes, specifications, and safety requirements for emerging functional materials."
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