The Ministry of Industry, Investment & Commerce has opened a public consultation on the draft Technical Regulation for the Labelling of Pre-Packaged Foods. Drawing on Codex Alimentarius principles, the draft aims to establish updated labelling requirements for all pre-packaged foods. Key elements include clarification that the regulation does not apply to front-of-pack (FOP) labelling, as well as a proposed update to the allergen list in line with recent Codex developments. I

The UAE Cabinet has approved the National Healthy Nutrition Strategy 2031, setting out a comprehensive policy framework to promote healthier diets and strengthen preventive nutrition measures across the country. The Strategy establishes strategic priorities aimed at shifting consumption towards healthier food alternatives, increasing public awareness of appropriate dietary patterns, reinforcing prevention‑based approaches to nutrition‑related non‑communicable diseases, and en

On 15 April, Joint Resolution 1/2026 of the National Administration of Food, Drugs and Medical Technology (ANMAT) and the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries was published in the Official Gazette. The Resolution adopts GMC Resolution No. 28/24, which amends GMC Resolution No. 02/12, the Mercosur Technical Regulation on the positive list of monomers, other starting substances and polymers authorised for the manufacture of plastic packaging and equipment intende

On 25 March, the French food safety agency ANSES published a report calling for urgent action to reduce cadmium exposure, warning that the population is primarily exposed through food due to widespread soil contamination. Its assessment shows that dietary intake accounts for up to 98% of cadmium exposure in non-smokers, with staple foods such as cereals, potatoes, and vegetables as the main contributors, while smoking further increases exposure. Biomonitoring data also point

On 23 March, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) closed the proposal to list added sugars separately in the nutrition information panel, concluding that it would be unlikely to deliver a clear public health benefit and could impose significant costs across the food system. The proposal assessed whether the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code should be amended to mandate separate added sugars labelling, following a request from food ministers to review whether

The Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) Board responsible for technical regulation and the WHO Regional Director for Europe signed a 2026–2028 action plan to implement the Memorandum of Understanding between the EEC and the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Aimed at preventing and reducing non‑communicable diseases, the action plan includes: Joint consultations on updating Union legislation to strengthen requirements for reducing salt and added sugar levels in foods, as well as

The Bolivian Institute for Standards and Quality (IBNORCA) has opened a public consultation on two draft standards aimed at updating the regulatory framework for non‑alcoholic beverages. APNB/IBNORCA 325001 – Non‑Alcoholic Beverages: Requirements This draft standard sets out the characteristics that non‑alcoholic beverages must comply with. Its scope excludes the following products: Beverages made entirely from fruit or vegetables, whether sweetened or unsweetened, concentra

The South African Department of Health has published revised Regulations establishing maximum levels for mycotoxins in foodstuffs under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act No. 54 of 1972). The amendments were issued in Government Gazette No. 7091 on 6 February 2026 and update the national framework governing permitted contamination levels in foods placed on the market. The new provisions introduce updated compliance requirements for food business operat

Authorities in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Iceland have launched consultations on updated criteria for the Keyholefront-of-pack nutrition labelling scheme. The revision aims to align the voluntary scheme with the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023 (NNR 2023). The Keyhole symbol identifies products with a healthier nutritional composition within a food category, such as lower salt, sugars and saturated fat and/or higher fibre and whole-grain content. The most significant pr

On 6 February 2026, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a draft technical regulation, SFDA.FD 2539:2025 – “Vitamins and Minerals Permitted in Food Products.” The notification was circulated through the WTO Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) system, which allows trading partners to review and comment on proposed national measures that may affect international trade. The draft standard establishes specifications, conditions of

The Australian Government will propose mandating Health Star Ratings on all packaged food products at next week’s Food Ministers Meeting. The Front-Of-Pack (FOP) labelling scheme has been voluntary since their introduction in 2014. In 2020, Food Ministers agreed to mandate the system if update failed to reach 70% by 2025. Recent data from Food Standards Australia New Zealand shows that only 37% of products currently display a Health Star Rating, well below the agreed target.

The Chilean Ministry of Health has launched a public consultation proposing targeted amendments to Article 4 (points 2, 3, and 4) of Exempt Resolution 394/02, which sets out the Nutritional Guidelines for Food Supplements and defines permitted vitamin and mineral contents. The proposed changes aim to clarify which types of products may not be formulated or marketed as food supplements. In particular, they seek to refine the interpretation of the term “similar” as used in seve