Weekly Trade Information-187

National Health Commission Releases Draft for Comment on Updated List of Microbial Strains for Use in Food

According to the official website of the National Health Commission (NHC) and China Food News, on March 26, the Department of Food Safety Standards, Risk Monitoring and Assessment of the NHC issued a public consultation on the updated Lists of Microbial Strains for Use in Food and Lists of Microbial Strains for Use in Infant Food.

The draft proposes adding four strains, including Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis, to the list of strains permitted for infant food, and standardizing the Latin names of multiple strains.

Insiders noted that this update will further expand the range of approved ingredients for domestic probiotic health supplements and functional foods, providing more compliant options especially for intestinal health products targeting infants.

The deadline for public comments is April 25, 2026.

(Source: Official website of the National Health Commission)
 

FDA Proposes Reinstating β-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) as a Dietary Supplement

According to Natural Products Insider, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a notice of intent on March 25, proposing to reconsider its decision to exclude β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) from the definition of a dietary supplement.

Previously, the FDA had ruled NMN ineligible as a dietary supplement because it was under clinical investigation as a new drug.The proposed reversal follows multiple petitions from industry groups and consumers.The FDA stated it will re-evaluate NMN’s legal status as a supplement and plans to hold a public hearing to solicit comments.

NMN is a high-profile anti-aging health ingredient in recent years.If the policy change takes effect, it will create a new compliant pathway for its sale and research in the U.S. market.

(Source: Natural Products Insider)
 

US FDA Recently Adjusts Rules for “No Artificial Colors” Claims

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken additional steps to support the transition of the food supply from artificial petroleum‑based colors to alternatives derived from natural sources.

Under the new policy, companies may now flexibly label their products as “free of artificial colors” as long as they contain no petroleum‑based color additives.Previously, such claims were generally only permitted if no color additives at all — natural or otherwise — were added to the product.

In addition, the agency has approved beet red as a new color additive and authorized expanded use of spirulina extract, an existing natural‑derived food color.These actions, taken in response to two petitions, will help the industry shift away from petroleum‑based food colors.

This brings the total number of new food color options approved during the current administration to six.

(Source: FDA official website, February 5, 2026)
 

Herbridge Bridge at FIC 2026: Previewing 2026 Hot Ingredients & Industry Trends

Herbridge Bridge Summary: FIC 2026 was held in Shanghai in March. Key on-site trends include:

• The scope of medicinal and edible homologous ingredients continues to expand, with turmeric and Citrus grandis becoming breakout stars.

• Microencapsulation, sustained-release and similar technologies have become key to product upgrading.

• In category trends: the anti-aging segment has cooled slightly, while the joint health segment is heating up rapidly.

• Application scenarios for postbiotics are broadening, and the sources and varieties of natural colorants are becoming increasingly diverse.

(Source: Herbridge Bridge)
 

Port of Baltimore Resumes Operations, Food Additive Supply Chains Gradually Unclogged

According to The Wall Street Journal and international shipping platform Freight Waves, the Port of Baltimore — a key East Coast U.S. hub — has fully resumed operations this week after completing channel clearance.

The port is a major import and export hub for food additive raw materials including vitamin E and lecithin.Earlier channel disruptions caused by an accident led to cargo backlogs and rising freight rates for these materials.

The Port Authority stated that current throughput has recovered to 80% of normal levels, with backlogged cargo expected to be fully cleared within two weeks.

Industry insiders noted that the resumption will help ease supply chain pressure for food additives on the U.S. East Coast,but warned of potential short-term congestion from a surge in concentrated vessel arrivals.

(Source: The Wall Street Journal & Freight Waves)