Salty stakes: Philippines eyes revamp of salt industry regulations to boost productivity and self-sufficiency
The Philippines is looking to revamp the regulations governing salt production and processing in the country, in a bid to boost local productivity and reduce reliance on salt imports.
The Philippines has been subject to steep price hikes for a number of core food commodities as a result of global inflation, impacting multiple items considered to be staples or vital to local cuisine such as eggs and onions.
The latest commodity to experience a rise in prices is salt, at an average of US$0.47 as of December 2022 compared to around US$0.187 per kilogramme back in 2019, but existing rules and regulations limiting the sector have been criticised as the main culprit behind the rising prices.
Temporary reprieve? Dubai alcohol firms welcome ‘fixed’ price drops resulting from tax removal
The alcohol sector in Dubai has warmly welcomed the authorities’ decision to scrap its 30% taxation on sales in a bid to lower prices and boost tourism, despite officials highlighting that this is not yet considered a permanent change.
From 1 January 2023, the Dubai Municipality removed its previously hefty 30% taxation on all alcohol sales, a tax widely acknowledged to have driven alcohol prices up so high that consumers would visit other emirates to make their purchases.
The scrapping of this tax is Dubai’s latest bid to win back local shoppers and increase tourist spend, amidst a flurry of other liberalising regulatory shifts in the city such as ending a ban on unmarried couples living together. That said, with alcohol largely still considered a ‘haram’ or illegal substance by Muslim law, the Dubai Municipality is proceeding with caution, noting that this tax removal is only ‘temporary’ and a pilot change subject to confirmation.
Regulatory repertoire 2023: Five need-to-know policies set to impact the APAC food and beverage sector this year
From regulations to reduce salt and sugar consumption, to emerging cultivated protein rules, FoodNavigator-Asia brings you five must-know policy updates that look set to have a significant impact on Asia Pacific food and beverage industry in 2023.
Advertising impact: South Korea intends to ban terms ‘CBD’ and ‘THC’ on hemp seed oil
South Korea’s food and drug regulator says it plans to ban the use of the terms ‘CBD’ and ‘THC’ on hemp food products, including hemp seed oil supplements.
The two terms stand for cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol respectively – which are categorised as narcotic ingredients in South Korea, although CBD is also recognised for treating epilepsy.
Both may be found in trace amounts – CBD at 20mg/kg or less and THC at 10mg/kg or less in hemp seed oil.
New logo mandatory for infant and follow-up formulas sold in Taiwan from 2025
Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has made it mandatory for infant and follow-up formula sold in the market to be printed with a new logo from January 2025.
The new requirement, which is part of the “Regulations Governing the Labelling of Infant and Follow-up Formula”, was announced on February 1, following a 60-day public consultation held last year.
The green and orange coloured logo consists of a woman carrying a baby and comes with the slogans “mother’s breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for infants” and “The Ministry of Health and Welfare cares for you”.
