News & Insights

On June 2, China's National Health Commission published new food additive use levels. The announcement notifying these changes is available in Chinese.

The BCGlobal Food Additive Database, which includes China's food additive regulations, will be updated by June 5, following the translation and analysis of the regulation. If you are interested in subscribing, please contact BCI.

On March 4, China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs opened a public consultation (in Chinese) on draft MRLs for zeranol, trenbolone acetate, and melengestrol acetate in or on cattle muscle.

Comments were due by March 6, 2020. Relevant proposed MRLs will display in the BCGlobal Vet Drug MRL Database on March 12, 2020.

Recently, the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service published Food and Agricultural Regulations and Standards (FAIRS) reports for the Dominican Republic and China. 

The BCGlobal Food Additive Database includes maximum use level regulations for over 850 additives in more than 70 countries worldwide, including the Dominican Republic and China. Please contact BCI for more information on subscribing.

The BCGlobal Pesticide MRL Database currently displays relevant established and proposed MRLs for the Dominican Republic and China. The BCGlobal Vet Drug MRL Database currently displays relevant established and proposed MRLs for the Dominican Republic and China.

On December 13, China's National Health Commission published new food additive use levels. The announcement notifying these changes is available in Chinese.

The BCGlobal Food Additive Database, which includes China's food additive regulations in English, has already been updated to reflect these changes. If you are interested in subscribing, please contact BCI.

On October 16, China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs initiated a public consultation on draft MRL amendments to its National Food Safety Standards in Food. Proposed amendments (in Chinese) include:

Draft MRLs for 72 pesticides in food

Comments are due by November 16, 2019. Relevant proposed MRLs have been added to the BCGlobal Pesticide MRL Database.

China's regulatory environment can be challenging to navigate.  Recently, the enforcement of registration requirements for foreign non-governmental organizations (FNGOs) has impacted promotional programs for several USDA Cooperators. BCI's Market Development Team has been at the forefront of this issue for its clients and, in July 2019, successfully completed the registration process in China on behalf of a client.

BCI President James Christie traveled to China to receive the client's registration certificate, meet with Shanghai Public Security Bureau officials, and discuss the issue with the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service. BCI is pleased with this successful outcome and is glad to see the client's promotional program in China resume with this important requirement now addressed.

For questions regarding China's FNGO requirements, please contact Sarah Gelpi, Assistant Director of BCI's Market Development team, to assist at 916-492-7062.

From July 22 to August 3, BCI collaborated with USDA and the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) to host a group of 9 seafood importers from China on an educational and trade tour of Washington, Oregon, and Alaska through the USDA Cochran Fellowship Program.  The group was able to meet with a range of U.S. seafood suppliers, trade associations, and environmental organizations in each of the states to learn about the quality and sustainability found in American seafood products.  BCI’s experience in various agricultural sectors has allowed the company to lead a number of USDA Cochran Fellowship Programs like the one detailed here. Click here for more information on how BCI helps develop markets abroad.

(Photo above): The group at a meeting with Alaskan Leader Seafoods in Seattle, WA. (Below): The group during a processing plant site visit with Ocean Beauty Seafoods in Cordova, AK.

On July 22, China's National Health Commission published new food additive use levels. The announcement notifying these changes is available in Chinese.

The BCGlobal Food Additive Database, which includes China's food additive regulations in English, has already been updated to reflect these changes. If you are interested in subscribing, please contact BCI.

On June 19, China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs notified the WTO of proposed MRLs. The draft standard includes 390 MRLs for 125 pesticides previously announced by the Ministry for domestic consultation in 2018.

Comments are due by August 18, 2019. Relevant proposed MRLs will be added to the BCGlobal Pesticide MRL Database over the next few weeks, following translation and further analysis.

On May 24, China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs initiated a public consultation on draft MRL amendments to its National Food Safety Standards in Food. Proposed amendments (in Chinese) include:

• Draft MRLs for 12 pesticides in food
• Draft MRLs for 66 pesticides in food

Comments are due by June 25, 2019. Relevant proposed MRLs have been added to the BCGlobal Pesticide MRL Database.