Australian regulator consults on removal of Andrographis as low-risk ingredient
Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has begun a consultation with stakeholders on removing Andrographis paniculata (Andrographis) from the list of low-risk ingredients permitted for use in listed medicines, including health supplements.
The consultation ends on April 30.
The move follows reports of anaphylaxis - a severe allergic reaction which may be potentially life-threatening.
Supplements 101: Biotic regulations in the European Union
Biotics are one of the fastest-growing categories within the dietary supplement industry, but strict regulations within the European Union often prevent supplement companies from effectively communicating their benefits.
Since the late 2000s, more than 400 health claim applications for probiotics have been submitted to the European Commission, but none have been authorized for dietary supplements.
In fact, the term ‘probiotic’ itself is treated as an unauthorized health claim within the European Union.
EU continues CBD scrutiny, rejecting 6 more novel food applications
The European Commission has terminated a backlog of cannabidiol (CBD) novel food applications for the lack of data and non-compliance.
It has also rejected claims for broad-spectrum CBD extracts and distillates from hemp.
Dr. Jerome Le Bloch, head of scientific affairs at Foodchain ID told NutraIngredients there has been a spike in terminations since February, most of which were CBD applications submitted between 2020 and 2022.
Caffeine in review: FSANZ adds advisory, warning statements for sports foods
Formulated supplementary sports foods (FSSF) containing caffeine will need to add new advisory and warning statements, says the Foods Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).
The regulator has approved an alternative warning statement that includes breastfeeding women as individuals unsuitable to consume such products.
However, unlike the existing warning, the newly approved alternative warning is not required for FSSF that does not contain caffeine or contains caffeine only from chocolate, cocoa, decaffeinated tea and/or decaffeinated coffee.
Vietnam’s food safety overhaul moves forward after months of delay
After the attempt to implement new food safety regulations in January, Vietnam has taken the next steps forward — but it looks unlikely to make the original April deadline.
The Vietnamese government initially announced it would enforce new food safety regulations on January 26 this year.
Locally dubbed ‘Decree 46’, it focuses on the detailed procedures to implement new changes to the local Law on Food Safety and aims to put stricter inspections and tighter food safety measures into place.
