Weekly Trade Information-195

EFSA Proposes to Approve Fava Bean-Derived Quercetin as a Novel Food

This week, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) released a consultation document, proposing the approval of quercetin extracted from dried fava beans as a novel food. It is permitted for use in food products and nutritional supplements in capsule and tablet forms, intended for healthy adults, excluding pregnant and breastfeeding women.

The recommended daily intake is 500 mg, with a maximum limit of 1,000 mg. This approval will add a new natural antioxidant ingredient to the EU supplement market, aligning with the trends of clean labels and plant-derived raw materials.

Public comments will be accepted until June 8. Once officially approved, it will facilitate compliance and innovative upgrading of quercetin-based products.

(Source: EFSA Official Consultation Document, FoodMate Network)
 

New Research on Muscle Anti-Aging: Potential of Aged Garlic Extract

The market for whole-body anti-aging products continues to expand. S1PC, a derivative of aged garlic extract, has been proven effective against musculoskeletal aging in mouse trials and human clinical studies, opening up broader application prospects.

The muscle health segment now shows great potential, alongside steady growth in the sports nutrition market. Other innovative ingredients including red sorghum extract, CaHMB and creatine each boast unique strengths to meet the needs of diverse groups, collectively enriching the range of raw materials for musculoskeletal anti-aging.

(Source: Plant Extract Bridge)
 

NHC Publicizes 16 Kinds of New Food-related Products, Including Multiple Health Supplement Ingredients

On May 27, 2026, the National Health Commission of China issued an announcement, approving 16 categories of three types of new food-related products, namely new food ingredients, new varieties of food additives and new food-contact products. The list includes peony seed oil and plant sterols derived from tall oil.

Plant sterols, a widely used raw material in health supplements, have had their component ratios adjusted. They are now allowed for use in all food categories except infant foods and can help regulate blood lipids. In addition, new industrial food enzymes such as xylanase and cellulase have been approved, expanding their applications in grain processing and other fields.

Formulated strictly based on risk assessment, the announcement specifies safety indicators and scope of use for each ingredient. It provides compliant new raw material options for the health supplement and food additive industries, and supports product innovation and upgrading.

(Source: Official Announcement of the National Health Commission of China)
 

Unrestricted Navigation to Be Maintained in the Strait of Hormuz

According to the latest report from Yi Shipping, on May 28, U.S. news website Axios cited U.S. officials and regional sources stating that a 60-day memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran was largely finalized on May 26.

The document stipulates that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz shall remain unrestricted. Iran is prohibited from imposing transit fees or harassing vessels, and shall remove all previously deployed mines within 30 days. In return, the U.S. will lift its maritime blockade against Iran, with the scope of the relaxation tied to the recovery of commercial shipping.

Moreover, Iran commits to abandoning efforts to develop nuclear weapons, while the U.S. agrees to negotiate on sanctions relief and the unfreezing of Iranian assets.

(Source: Shipping Community)
 

Tight Shipping Space for Supplements & Additives on China-Europe Routes; Reefer Freight Rates Rise 8% Weekly

Shipping space for exports of health supplements and food additives on China-Europe routes continues to tighten. Freight rates for reefer containers (2–8℃) surged by around 8% in a single week, hitting a new high for the year.

Driven by new EU regulations and peak-season stockpiling, temperature-controlled cargo including vitamins, probiotics and plant extracts is given priority for space booking. General containers from Shanghai and Ningbo to Rotterdam and Hamburg face severe overbooking and frequent cargo roll-offs. Several carriers have suspended bookings for non-temperature-sensitive goods.

Logistics providers noted that food-grade additives such as citric acid and pectin, classified as general cargo, see a relatively mild rate increase, yet their shipment schedules have been pushed back to mid-June. Industry insiders expect freight rates to keep climbing before peak season surcharges take effect in June.

(Source: Shipping Gazette)