China’s NHC Approves 20 New Food Substances: What Overseas Businesses Need to Know

On July 2, 2025, China’s National Health Commission (NHC) approved 20 new food substances—including raw ingredients, additives, and food contact materials—under the Announcement on D-Allulose and 19 Other “Three New Foods” (Announcement No. 4 of 2025).

In line with the Food Safety Law of the People’s Republic of China, experts reviewed safety data for the following:

5 new food raw materials, including D-Allulose
9 new food additives, including aminopeptidase
6 new food contact materials, including ammonium laurate

The experts approved all applications and the announcement took effect immediately. For overseas food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and packaging producers, this opens new market opportunities and sets out clear compliance actions.

> Scroll to the full list of all 20 approvals

Key Highlights

Taken together, these updates demonstrate how regulators are reinforcing consumer safety while creating space for product and process innovation.

Here’s what businesses need to know by category:

Food Raw Materials – What’s New

Most notably, the approval is D-Allulose (also known as D-Psicose), a low-calorie sugar with potential for reduced-energy foods. However, new restrictions apply: both D-Allulose and sodium hyaluronate (extraction method) must not be consumed by infants, pregnant women, or lactating women.

This shift signals greater regulatory focus on protecting vulnerable groups.

Food Additives – New Approvals and Expanded Uses

Approvals under GB 2760 include new production strains, extended uses, and revised quality standards.

Among them are enzymes such as aminopeptidase, xylanase, and glucoamylase, which help manufacturers improve efficiency and expand product ranges.

At the same time, the revised specifications require stricter compliance, making accurate sourcing and documentation essential.

Food Contact Substances – New Approvals and Expanded Uses

Approvals for food contact materials under GB 9685 balance innovation with safety.

The new list includes includes entirely new substances as well as wider uses and higher limits for existing ones, such as di-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA) in PVDF plastics and certain fatty-acid esters.

As a result, packaging producers and suppliers gain greater flexibility to innovate in packaging while still staying within clear regulatory boundaries.

Market Opportunities in China for Overseas Food Businesses

For overseas food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and packaging producers, these new approvals create opportunities to expand in the Chinese market. Each category of approval offers a different entry point—whether through product innovation, production improvements, or packaging solutions.

Low-Calorie and Functional Foods: Meeting Rising Consumer Demand

With D-Allulose now approved, overseas manufacturers of beverages, baked goods, and functional foods can introduce reduced-calorie or sugar-replacement products in China.

At the same time, ingredient suppliers outside China can market D-Allulose as a premium input for Chinese food brands that want to meet rising consumer demand for healthier options.

Food Processing Efficiency: Enzyme Approvals Unlock New Potential

The approval of new enzymes benefits overseas manufacturers of starch-based foods, dairy products, and processed foods that rely on efficient, scalable production. These enzymes improve yields and enable broader formulation choices.

For overseas enzyme producers and ingredient suppliers, this opens opportunities to supply specialised solutions to Chinese food companies that are modernising their processes.

First-Mover Advantage: Early Action in the Chinese Market

Because approvals are already in effect, early action offers a competitive edge. Businesses that adopt these compliant raw materials first can capture market share and build stronger partnerships in China.

Key Compliance Priorities for Overseas Businesses

To seize these opportunities while staying compliant, overseas businesses should focus on three priorities:

1. Ensure Raw Material Procurement and Production Compliance

Compliance starts at the sourcing stage. Food and beverage manufacturers must ensure suppliers meet Chinese standards with process descriptions and full testing reports. This protects against customs clearance issues and helps avoid costly delays.

2. Prepare Compliant Product Labelling

Labels for products with newly approved raw materials must list the ingredient name, recommended daily intake (if relevant), and warnings for protected groups. For example, both D-Allulose and sodium hyaluronate must state that infants, pregnant women, and lactating women should not consume them.

For products with new additives or food contact materials, labels must state where and how the substance applies and list any quality standards that Chinese regulations require.

3. Ensure Marketing Claims Stay within the Approved Scope

For brand owners and marketing teams, product claims must remain within the approved scope of each substance. Overstating the benefits of newly approved ingredients can create compliance risks, undermine consumer trust, and harm brand reputation.

Final Considerations

China’s approval of 20 new food substances marks a significant step for the sector, bringing regulatory progress and market opportunities. D-Allulose opens the door to low-calorie product development, new enzymes enhance processing efficiency, and updated food contact materials expand packaging options. Taken together, these changes create immediate prospects for overseas businesses, but strict compliance will be essential to capitalise.

Companies that act quickly and uphold airtight compliance can convert these approvals into market share. For food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and packaging producers facing registration timelines, cost pressures, or compliance hurdles, Cisema provides the expertise to bridge the gap.

With extensive experience in Chinese food regulations, Cisema ensures products meet all local requirements and reach the market efficiently—get in touch today.

Further Information

The Full List: 20 New Food Substances

New Food Raw MaterialsNew Food AdditivesNew Food-Related Product VarietiesD-Psicose Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3799 Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BLA 80 Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis LMG 11588 Sodium Hyaluronate (Extraction Method) Aminopeptidase Xylanase Glucoamylase Ascorbyl Palmitate (enzymatic method) Sulphuric Acid Deacetylated Chitin (Chitosan) Ethyl Acetate 2’-Fucosyllactose Magnesium L-Threonate Ammonium Laurate Polymer of Adipic Acid and 2-Ethyl-2-(Hydroxymethyl)-1,3-Propanediol 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane Di-(2-Ethylhexyl) Adipate Esters of C12–C18 Linear Fatty Acids and C12–C18 Linear Fatty Alcohols Polymer of 1,3-Benzenedicarboxylic Acid, 1,4-Benzenedicarboxylic Acid, 1,4-Butanediol, 1,4-Cyclohexanedimethanol, Trimellitic Anhydride and 1,2-Ethanediol

The following sections break down the newly approved food raw materials providing their regulatory status.

New Food Raw Materials

D-Psicose – A six-carbon ketose present in small amounts in figs, kiwifruit, wheat, and other foods, with an energy coefficient of about 1.67 kJ/g. The approved product may be produced by microbial fermentation (using glucose or sucrose, fermented by E. coli AS 10) or by enzymatic conversion (using fructose, catalyzed by a specific enzyme). Purity must be ≥ 98 g/100 g, with a recommended daily intake of ≤ 20 g. Safety data are insufficient for infants, pregnant women, and lactating women, so these groups should not consume it.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3799 – Isolated from mangosteen, this strain is now included in the “List of Microorganisms Permitted for Use in Food” for direct consumption, excluding infant foods. Traditional S. cerevisiae used in food processing remains permitted.
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BLA 80 – Approved for inclusion in both the “List of Microorganisms Permitted for Use in Infant Foods” and the “List of Microorganisms Permitted for Use in Food.”
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis LMG 11588 – Isolated from the intestinal tract of healthy infants, this strain has likewise been approved for the infant-food microorganism list.
Sodium Hyaluronate (extraction method) – Produced from chicken combs, with sodium hyaluronate as the main component (≥ 60 g/100 g). In 2020, China approved sodium hyaluronate produced by fermentation as a novel food raw material. The newly approved extracted product has a recommended intake of ≤ 300 mg/day (based on 60 g/100 g content; higher levels are converted proportionally). Safety data are insufficient for infants, pregnant women, and lactating women, so these groups should not consume it.

New Food-Additives

Aminopeptidase – Already listed in GB 2760, this announcement covers a new production-strain variant. It is mainly used to catalyse hydrolysis of amino-terminal amino acids in yeast hydrolysates. Safety evaluation confirms it can be used in food processing, with specifications set out in GB 1886.174.
Xylanase – Already listed, but this approval covers a new production-strain variant. It may be used in starch-based food processing and is safe under corresponding specifications.
Glucoamylase – Also a new production-strain variant, approved for use in starch-sugar production. Safe for food processing under relevant specifications.
Ascorbyl Palmitate (enzymatic method) – Expanded scope of use specified in the announcement.
Sulfuric Acid – Scope expanded for use in additional food-processing contexts under specified conditions.
Deacetylated Chitin (Chitosan) – Scope expanded; food manufacturers may use it in new scenarios in accordance with the updated rules.
Ethyl Acetate – Expanded scope of use provides greater flexibility in food processing.
2’-Fucosyllactose – Already approved as a nutritional fortifier. Quality specifications now supplemented for use in formulated milk powder (children only) and infant formula foods.
Magnesium L-Threonate – Revised quality specifications. Manufacturers and users must comply with the updated requirements.

New Food Contact Substances

Ammonium Laurate – New approval. Its use in food-contact materials must comply with the announcement’s scope and conditions.
Polymer of Adipic Acid and 2-Ethyl-2-(Hydroxymethyl)-1,3-Propanediol – Approved for use in specific food-contact materials. Production and application must meet all requirements in the announcement.
3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane – Approved as a new variety with strict specifications for use in food-related products, from production through to final application.
Di-(2-Ethylhexyl) Adipate (DEHA) – Already approved under GB 9685 for certain food-contact materials. Regulators expanded its use to PVDF plastics under specific conditions (≤ 70 °C, ≤ 24 hours, no free fat, ethanol ≤ 50%). It is safe for all populations.
Esters of C12–C18 Linear Fatty Acids and C12–C18 Linear Fatty Alcohols – Previously approved for paper and board as well as plastics at a maximum of 0.1%. NHC raised the limit to 0.5% for plastics under defined contact conditions (e.g. PET filled and stored at room temperature). Safe for all populations.
Polymer of 1,3-Benzenedicarboxylic Acid, 1,4-Benzenedicarboxylic Acid, 1,4-Butanediol, 1,4-Cyclohexanedimethanol, Trimellitic Anhydride, and 1,2-Ethanediol – Approved as a new resin for food-contact coatings. It offers good flexibility and corrosion resistance. Safety evaluations confirm the coating is safe for all populations under room-temperature filling, including hot-fill and pasteurisation, followed by long-term storage.