Weekly Trade Information-192

Ergothioneine Officially Listed in EU Novel Food Catalogue

On April 26, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) released its latest assessment, endorsing the official inclusion of ergothioneine in the EU Novel Food Catalogue.

It is approved for use in health supplements and functional foods, applicable to dosage forms including capsules, tablets and beverages. The assessment confirmed that ergothioneine is safe for human consumption at the recommended daily dose (≤5 mg), with no risk of genotoxicity or liver and kidney damage.

This move will drive the upgrading of raw materials for anti-aging and immunity-supporting supplements across Europe. Multiple international enterprises have launched the R&D and registration of ergothioneine-related products, which are expected to hit the market in batches in the second half of the year.

(Source: European Food Safety Authority, EFSA)

Five New Food Ingredients Approved in 2026

The health benefits of new food ingredients are derived from their inherent compositional properties, all of which have passed formal safety assessment. Below are commonly approved varieties in recent years and their dietary wellness functions:

Sugar Substitutes: D-Allulose (approved in 2025): 70% the sweetness of sucrose with only 10% of its calories. It is metabolized independent of insulin, making it suitable for sugar control and weight management groups.

Probiotics: Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis (approved in 2025): regulates gut flora and helps improve intestinal health.Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-3799: relieves irritable bowel syndrome and antibiotic-associated diarrhea; not recommended for excessive intake by people with sensitive digestion.

Plant Extracts: Sakura polyphenols (approved in 2025) and alginate oligosaccharides (approved in 2026): rich in antioxidants and help scavenge free radicals.Sodium hyaluronate (extraction process, approved in 2025): replenishes skin moisture and is also widely used in food applications.

Edible Oils: Gardenia oil and camelina sativa seed oil (approved in 2026): high in unsaturated fatty acids, help regulate blood lipids and meet daily dietary health needs.

(Source: Healthcare Food & Beverage Research)
 

The Underrated Natural Polyphenol Fisetin: Poised to Become the Next Top Anti-Aging Raw Material

When it comes to anti-aging, consumer focus is undergoing a subtle shift.From the early popularity of collagen and hyaluronic acid, to the once trending NMN and resveratrol, the logic of anti-aging products is evolving from replenishing what is lost to intervening in aging mechanisms.

Senescent cells that stop dividing yet resist death continuously secrete senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) inflammatory factors, which impair surrounding healthy cells.

Against this backdrop, a category of ingredients known as Senolytics has entered the mainstream spotlight.Unlike conventional antioxidants, Senolytics do not merely make up for nutritional deficiencies. Instead, they target and induce the apoptosis of senescent cells, thereby cleansing the internal bodily environment in a targeted manner.

Within this track, Fisetin—a natural polyphenol long underappreciated—is stepping into the spotlight, thanks to its multi-target mechanism of action and excellent safety profile.As a natural molecule with multi-target intervention capabilities, it not only clears senescent cells, but also delivers neuroprotection, metabolic regulation and anti-inflammatory effects.This all-round performance grants it extremely high formulation flexibility in functional food applications.

(Source: FDL Foodaily)
 

Freight Rates Skyrocket! Middle East Shipping Costs May Top $10,000

U.S. import compliance requirements are further tightened. With ongoing regulatory tightening, a new electronic declaration rule covering hundreds of product categories is set to take effect. U.S.-bound shippers and freight forwarders that are inadequately prepared may face higher inspection rates and customs clearance delays.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), starting July 8, 2026, all regulated imported consumer goods must complete eFiling via the U.S. Customs ACE system and submit relevant data of product compliance certificates.
Different from the previous model of providing documents with shipments or submitting them upon random inspection, the new rule advances compliance requirements. Enterprises must finish electronic data declaration prior to cargo arrival at the port. This means compliance supervision will shift from post-inspection random checks to pre-arrival screening.

In terms of coverage, the new regulation applies to over 600 HTS tariff codes, including cross-border e-commerce and traditional export mainstream categories such as apparel, toys, infant articles and furniture. All goods subject to CPSC safety standards, bans or regulations fall within the scope of mandatory declaration.

(Source: Waisi Talks Shipping)
 

Enterprises Need to Strengthen Factory Inspection and Compliance Review

On April 24, the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) issued alerts on two consignments of sea-freighted Chinese health supplements and food additives for non-compliance.

Germany detected dioxins in a batch of exported spirulina powder, a raw material for health supplements. The goods had already been distributed to the Netherlands and subsequently detained.

Italy found excessive chlorate in two batches of xanthan gum, a food additive, with a maximum level of 71.1 mg/kg — far exceeding the legal limit of 0.01 mg/kg. The relevant shipments were refused entry upon arrival.

These alerts highlight prominent compliance risks for food-related sea freight shipments between China and Europe. Enterprises must strengthen pre-delivery factory testing and compliance review to avoid detention and customs clearance delays during shipping.

(Source: FoodMate Import & Export Food Safety Information Platform)