In December 2014, the NHFPC issued the
revised Standards for Uses of Food Additives, further specifying the use range
and quantity of sweeteners. This will facilitate the healthy development of
China's sweetener industry.
On 24 Dec., 2014, the National Health and
Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China (NHFPC) issued the
National Food Safety Standards – Standards for Uses of Food Additives (GB
2760-2014), to be actually implemented from 24 May, 2015. It plays as a
substitute for the GB 2760-2011 version implemented on 20 June, 2011.
The latest standards include the adjustments
in the range and quantity of sweeteners used:
1. Two sweeteners are added, thaumatin and
twinsweet.
2. Apartame and neotame are specified to be
applied in 71 and 56 food products (based on the Food Classification System)
respectively. Also, the largest use quantities are defined. In the old version,
both were allowed to use in every food product, with appropriate quantities in
line with production requirements.
3. Ranges and quantities of some sweeteners
used, such as steviol glycosides, sucralose and cyclamate are expanded.
4. Use range of sodium saccharin is
narrowed down to 14 food products.
Obviously, the adjustment in the latest
standards for sweeteners is targeted at high intensity sweeteners (HIS). In
recent years, thanks to the public recognition on the low-sugar and low-calorie
HIS, China’s HIS sector has witnessed rapid development. Along with
continuously increasing exports, Chinese downstream food enterprises are also
inclined to the use of HIS. In 2013, the total output of HIS reached about
120,000 tonnes, exports exceeding 50,000 tonnes.
Due to the low costs from the use of HIS,
food enterprises may misapply the sweeteners in food products, especially in
preserved plum and the alike. They would add more than two sweeteners in the
production, so as to avoid the overuse of each sweetener and ensure the
sweetness. Some enterprises even use the low-cost sodium saccharin or cyclamate
to completely substitute sucrose. Then such food products would negatively
impact health.
Indeed, the misapplication of HIS in China
can be attributed to the relatively loose laws and regulations. At present, the
National Standards for Food Additives is formulated in accordance with the
international standards. In September 2014, the Codex Alimentarius Commission
issued the revised General Standard for Food Additives (CODEX STAN 192-1995).
This also provides a basis for China to revise the national standards.
Nevertheless, the two standards still present some differences:
1. China does not clearly specify
or give any necessary explanations or demonstrations on the food coverage. This
creates opportunities for some enterprises to carry out illegal production.
2. China is not fully qualified concerning
the danger assessment and inspection technology for food additives and is in
need of improvement compared with the international level.
In order to strengthen the management on
food additive, the Chinese government will issue policies in succession. Chen
Junshi, academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering disclosed that China aims
to finish the formulation of a food safety system, the only mandatory system in
the nation by the end of 2015. The gradual improvement and strict
implementation of policies and laws and regulations will propel downstream
enterprises to normalize the sweetener application and further to sustain the
industry development.
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Tag: sweetener, HIS