Policy

New rules to resume imports of Malaysian bird's nests into China

Malaysia to resume bird’s nest exports to China

By Ankush Chibber

Almost half a year after China banned the import of edible bird’s nests from Malaysia due to nitrite contamination, Malaysian exporters will finally get back to work under new regulations.

China has finally implemented national nutrition labelling laws, effective in 2013

China standardises nutrition labelling guidelines

By Jennifer Phang

In a bid to create unified standards and transparency across packaged products in China, the Ministry of Health has issued nutritional labelling standards, set to commence in January, 2013.

Aggressive insecticide marketing, main driver to misuse causing pest plagues

Pest plagues drive Asian insecticide marketing crackdown

By Kacey Culliney

Unregulated insecticide marketing in Asia is driving overuse and misuse by farmers leading to widespread pest infestations and damaging millions of tonnes of rice each year, according to industry experts.

Possible campaign launch in Indonesia against unhealthy foods for children

Indonesia wants better, healthier food products at schools

By Ankush Chibber

Indonesia will more tightly supervise the sale of food products sold in and around schools in 2012, if a government agency-backed effort to reduce the impact of unhealthy snacks on the country's 50 million 6-18 year-olds is OK'd at senior level.

Indian edible oil processors want change in 2012

Indian edible oil processors want change in 2012

By Ankush Chibber

The Indian edible oil industry is banking on a slew of corrective measures in 2012 to revive its fortunes after the last year ended on a downhill thanks to changes in the Indonesian palm oil tax structure.

India extends Chinese milk ban

India extends Chinese milk ban

By Ankush Chibber

China will have to wait another six months before it can export its milk products across the Himalayas after India extended the ban on these food items.

India ponders sugar deregulation in 2012

India ponders sugar deregulation in 2012

By Ankush Chibber

The Indian Ministry of Food is in discussions with state governments and associated ministries to remove controls over the country’s sugar industry in the new year.

Case to ban junk foods near schools is winning supporters

Case to ban junk foods near schools receives boost

By Ankush Chibber

In a move that could make the going tougher for food processors in their fight against a possible ban on the sale of junk foods in and near schools, a prominent Indian school has asked to be made party to a legal case on the issue.

Internationals won't be put off investing in India, following FDI postponement

Hostility towards FDI will not put off internationals

By Kacey Culliney

India’s foreign direct investment (FDI) law for its retail sector was put on hold earlier this month following political opposition, but this will not impede internationals entering, according to an analyst.

India set to get new milk standards

Indian dairy sector reviews microbiological standards

By Ankush Chibber

India is looking to revise microbiological standards for milk and milk products in an attempt to better ensure food safety across the supply chain in the country’s growing dairy sector.

FSANZ wants input from industry on GM corn line

FSANZ body calls for submission on GM corn line application

By Ankush Chibber

The trans-Tasman food standards watchdog has called for submissions on an application to change the Food Standards Code to allow food derived from a genetically modified (GM) corn line to be sold in the region.

Rice contamination in Japan leads to shipment ban

Rice shipments halted from Fukushima, Japan

By Kacey Culliney

Distribution of rice cultivated in the Fukushima prefecture has been restricted following the detection of unsafe levels of radioactive contamination found in samples harvested this season.

Crackdown on Chinese functional food sector

China tightens up on fortified foods regulation

By Ankush Chibber

China has announced new regulations and a renewed focus on the quality and safety of functional foods being sold in the country, as part of a series of crackdowns meant to reinforce food safety in the country.

130,000 job losses by 2020: report

Australian food industry could shed 130,000 jobs by 2020, report

By Ankush Chibber

Failure to introduce reforms in Australia’s food and grocery sector now could see the country’s domestic industry become significantly less competitive by 2020 as falling growth will translate to job losses, a new report suggests.

Country of origin labelling pushed by Green Party, New Zealand

Green party wants mandatory country of origin labelling

By Ankush Chibber

The Green Party in New Zealand has said that mandatory country of origin labelling (COOL) for foods sold in the country would be one of its top priorities in any post-election policy agreement.

Walmart China reopens but can it regain consumer trust?

Walmart China reopens its stores

By Kacey Culliney

Walmart China’s doors will reopen to the public today, following the two week closures of its stores during an investigation into allegedly mislabelling regular pork as organic.

Australian watchdog puts Coles and Woolworths on notice

Australian watchdog puts Coles and Woolworths on notice

By Ankush Chibber

Australia’s top competition regulator has said that it would keep an eye on the country’s two top supermarket chains over long-standing concerns that they were wielding too much power in the country’s food sector.

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