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On June 16, 2022, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) released two draft National Food Safety Standards for maximum residue limits covering a total of 98 pesticides in foods for public comment.

This report provides an overview of Vietnam’s certification requirements for imported food and agricultural products. In the first six months of 2022, Vietnam made no changes to its certification requirements.

This report provides information of the food and agricultural laws and regulations currently in force in Vietnam.

The U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement (USJTA), which entered into force on January 1, 2020, improved market access for U.S. products through the creation of tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) for food wheat, wheat products, malt, processed cheese, whey, glucose and fructose, potato starch, corn starch, and inulin. In JFY 2021, allocation and fill rates of the TRQs continued to remain low.

On June 1, the National Health Commission (NHC) issued a public letter soliciting comments on its 2022 plan for the National Food Safety Standards Project. The notice identified 41 national food safety standards the NHC intends to develop or revise in 2022. This report contains an unofficial translation of the Letter and plan.

The following changes have been made to the 2022 FAIRS report: 1) Section II – Labeling. Effective December 1, 2023, food containing hydrogenated oils must be labeled. 2) Section III – Packaging. Glass and plastic bottles will be subject to additional levies. 3) Section VI – Other Requirements, Regulations, and Registration Measures.

Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) will add walnuts to list of allergens that product manufacturers and importers must include on the label of packaged products containing walnuts. Currently, CAA strongly recommends including walnuts on the label, but does not require their inclusion.

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) proposed revisions to Japan’s maximum residue levels for 9 agricultural chemicals (Etofenprox, Fenpyroximate, Florasulam, Fluensulfone, Tetraconazole, Cloxacillin, 1,2-Dichlorobenzene, Didecyldimethylammonium chloride, and Nicarbazin) for various agricultural commodities.

On May 11, 2022 the National Health Commission (NHC) approved 36 new food materials and additives, including seven enzymes derived from Genetically Modified Microorganisms (GMMs). These approvals follow an earlier announcement issued on March 1 of 32 food materials and additives, including 4 GMM derived enzymes, approved for use in China.

On April 24, 2022, China’s National Feed Industry Standardization Technical Committee issued a notice to collect industry input and suggestions on the establishment or amendment of national pet food standards.

This report contains a simplified description of facility registration under Decree 248 and answers to frequently asked questions. The most recent list of commodities covered by Decree 248 is attached to the report.