Food and Beverage

EU EFSA Records Intake of Application to Authorise Glucose Oxidase From GM Aspergillus niger (CCTCC M 20231355) as New Food Enzyme

EFSA has registered intake of an EU application to authorise glucose oxidase produced by a genetically modified *Aspergillus niger* strain CCTCC M 20231355 as a new food enzyme under Regulation (EC) No 1332/2008, with the dossier received and placed under suitability check in early April 2026. For food enzyme manufacturers and food producers using glucose oxidase, this marks the start of EU risk assessment for a new strain‑specific source, signalling potential future authorisation that could expand sourcing options while setting specific conditions of use and labelling requirements.

10 Apr 2026, 16:10open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

EU EFSA Opens Public Consultation on NZYM-FS Cellulase Food Enzyme

EFSA has opened a short public consultation on an application to authorise cellulase (CAS 9012-54-8) from a genetically modified Trichoderma reesei strain NZYM-FS as a new food enzyme under the EU Food Enzymes Regulation, while its risk assessment remains ongoing and subject to an EFSA deadline of 4 December 2026. For enzyme manufacturers and food producers this signals continued progress but no authorisation yet; key dates to monitor are the consultation window to 29 April 2026, the current clock-stop end expected on 26 June 2026, and the overall EFSA assessment deadline later in 2026.

10 Apr 2026, 15:51open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

South Korea MFDS Consults on Amendment to Food Labelling Enforcement Rule to Tackle Shrinkflation

MFDS is consulting on amendments to the Enforcement Rule under South Korea’s Act on Labelling and Advertising of Foods, etc. that would significantly toughen sanctions for failing to disclose “shrinkflation” on food packaging, with comments due by 15 May 2026. If adopted, the changes would raise enforcement exposure for food and beverage businesses in Korea, making clear pack‑size change controls and compliant consumer disclosures more critical to avoid product‑specific manufacturing suspensions.

10 Apr 2026, 13:37mfds.go.krSouth Korea

EFSA Registers Intake of Application to Modify Beetroot Red (Betanin, E 162) Food Additive From GM Saccharomyces cerevisiae

EFSA has opened an intake (question EFSA-Q-2026-00001) for an application under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 to modify the authorised food colour Beetroot Red (betanin, E 162) when produced using a genetically modified Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain. Food and ingredient businesses using this colourant in EU products should monitor the forthcoming risk assessment, as any later changes to EU specifications or conditions of use could trigger reformulation, labelling updates, and supplier requalification.

10 Apr 2026, 13:19open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Parliament AGRI Committee Publishes Amendments To Draft Report On Organic Regulation 2018/848

The European Parliament’s AGRI committee has published 228 amendments to its draft report on COM(2025) 780, the proposal to amend Organic Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on production, labelling, certification and trade with third countries.[^1^](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/AGRI-AM-785380_EN.pdf) This marks a key political stage in revising the EU organic framework, signalling where MEPs may tighten or relax rules that will ultimately affect organic operators’ certification, labelling and access to EU and third‑country markets.

10 Apr 2026, 11:08europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

EFSA Confirms Safety of Extended Uses of Food Enzyme from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens AR-383

EFSA’s Panel on Food Enzymes has confirmed that extending the uses of a bacillolysin/subtilisin food enzyme from non-genetically modified **Bacillus amyloliquefaciens** strain AR-383 across 12 food manufacturing processes remains safe for EU consumers, even at conservative exposure estimates up to 7.469 mg TOS/kg body weight per day. For manufacturers of dairy, meat, plant-based and soy sauce products, this opinion will guide future Commission decisions on amending the EU food enzyme Union list under Regulations 1332/2008 and 1331/2008, signalling that wider use of this processing aid does not introduce new EFSA-driven safety constraints but should still be monitored as authorisation conditions are finalised.

10 Apr 2026, 11:01efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.comEuropean Union

EFSA Updates Safety Opinion on Extended Uses of Triacylglycerol Lipase From GM Aspergillus oryzae (Strain NZYM‑AL)

EFSA’s Panel on Food Enzymes has updated its safety evaluation of triacylglycerol lipase (EC 3.1.1.3; CAS 9001‑62‑1) from genetically modified Aspergillus oryzae strain NZYM‑AL, covering an extension from four to ten food manufacturing processes and confirming an adequate margin of exposure (≥528) at a maximum estimated dietary exposure of 0.093 mg TOS/kg bw/day. For food enzyme suppliers and EU food manufacturers in dairy, cereals, plant‑based products and fats/oils, this opinion supports forthcoming Commission decisions to broaden authorised uses of this enzyme without introducing new safety‑driven restrictions, signalling likely continuity of risk expectations but potential expansion of permitted applications.

10 Apr 2026, 11:01efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.comEuropean Union

EFSA Opens Public Consultation on Draft Opinion on Semicarbazide in Food

In April 2026, EFSA opened an EU‑level public consultation on its draft scientific opinion assessing human‑health risks from semicarbazide (SEM) in food under Question EFSA‑Q‑2024‑00581. The consultation will inform EFSA’s final opinion under General Food Law and could influence future EU risk‑management measures on semicarbazide contamination, so food and beverage stakeholders should review the draft and decide whether to submit comments by 18 May 2026.

10 Apr 2026, 10:27connect.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

Sweden: Livsmedelsverket Consults On Updated Guidance for Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP)

Livsmedelsverket has launched a consultation, closing on 30 April 2026, on substantially revised Kontrollwiki guidance for Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP) in Sweden, covering legal basis, classification rules, composition, labelling and notification requirements. For FSMP manufacturers and importers, these clarifications could shift how products are classified and assessed in official control, so portfolios and documentation should be checked against the proposed text and feedback provided where interpretations or examples would materially affect market strategy or compliance risk.

10 Apr 2026, 10:18livsmedelsverket.seSweden

Denmark Consults on EU Draft to Add Certain Hydroxyanthracene-Containing Botanicals to Fortification Regulation Annex III Part A

The EU is proposing to move several hydroxyanthracene-containing botanicals to the prohibited list of the Fortification Regulation, with a ban expected following the April 2026 consultation. This shift from scrutiny to a total ban requires food and supplement manufacturers to urgently reformulate products to mitigate compliance risks and maintain market access.

9 Apr 2026, 17:57hoeringsportalen.dkEuropean UnionDenmark

Japan Cabinet Office Notice No. 33 Amends Standards and Specifications for Foods and Food Additives

Japan has updated its mandatory standards for foods and food additives through Cabinet Office Notice No. 33, effective April 7, 2026. Companies must immediately audit product formulations and specifications against the new requirements to maintain compliance and mitigate market access risks.

9 Apr 2026, 17:37kanpo.go.jpJapan

EFSA Concludes No Safety Concerns For Food Enzyme Glucan 1,4‑α‑Maltotetraohydrolase From GM Bacillus Licheniformis DP‑Dzf95

EFSA has issued a positive safety opinion for the food enzyme glucan 1,4‑α‑maltotetraohydrolase, clearing a major technical hurdle for its use in EU food manufacturing. This assessment signals a clear path toward formal market authorization, allowing manufacturers to plan for its integration into processing while maintaining safety and allergenicity standards.

9 Apr 2026, 17:36efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

EFSA Opinion on Extended Uses of Food Enzyme Triacylglycerol Lipase (Aspergillus oryzae NZYM‑FL)

EFSA has issued a positive safety opinion for the expanded use of triacylglycerol lipase in six additional food manufacturing processes. This clearance paves the way for broader industrial application of this enzyme in the EU food sector without additional safety restrictions.

9 Apr 2026, 17:36efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/765 on Sampling and Analysis Methods for Official Control of Pesticide Residues in Food and Feed

The EU has adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/765, harmonizing sampling and analysis methods for pesticide residues in food and feed effective January 1, 2027. Companies must align internal quality control and laboratory testing with these new legally binding standards, including specific measurement uncertainty rules, to ensure compliance with Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) during official enforcement.

9 Apr 2026, 14:28eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EFSA Consults on Application to Authorise Glucose Oxidase From Genetically Modified Aspergillus oryzae FL118SC as a New Food Enzyme

EFSA has launched a public consultation on the authorization of glucose oxidase from a genetically modified strain as a new food enzyme. Manufacturers should monitor this assessment as it determines future market access and compliance requirements for this enzyme in the EU food sector.

9 Apr 2026, 10:26open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

Romania ANPC Conducts Nationwide Inspections and Online Monitoring for Consumer Safety

Romania’s consumer protection authority (ANPC) executed a nationwide enforcement sweep in April 2026, resulting in over 2,300 fines and significant product withdrawals across retail and e-commerce. Businesses should expect sustained, high-intensity market surveillance on product safety and hygiene, requiring immediate verification of storage protocols and supply chain compliance to mitigate operational and reputational risk.

9 Apr 2026, 10:25anpc.roRomania

US JPML Denies MDL Centralisation for Huel Heavy-Metal Protein Powder Litigation (1:25-F-03177)

The US Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation denied the centralization of class-action lawsuits alleging heavy metal contamination in Huel protein products in April 2026. This procedural ruling forces manufacturers to manage fragmented litigation across multiple jurisdictions, highlighting the escalating legal and reputational risks associated with trace chemical contaminants in consumer health goods.

9 Apr 2026, 09:52govinfo.govUnited States

EFSA Consultation on Authorisation of Glucose Oxidase Food Enzyme from GM Komagataella phaffii Strain LALL-GO2

EFSA has launched a public consultation on the authorization of a new glucose oxidase food enzyme produced from a genetically modified strain. This assessment is a critical step toward market access for the enzyme, signaling potential changes to the permitted list of food improvement agents in the EU.

6 Apr 2026, 20:07open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

EU: Commission Adopts 2027–2029 Pesticide Residue Control Programme (Regulation (EU) 2026/748)

The EU has adopted the 2027–2029 multiannual control programme for pesticide residues, mandating harmonized sampling and reporting across Member States starting January 2027. Food producers and importers should anticipate intensified monitoring of specific pesticide-commodity combinations, as these results directly inform future MRL adjustments and enforcement priorities.

6 Apr 2026, 19:33eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

US House Introduces Food and Nutrition Delivery Safety Act (H.R. 8046)

The US House introduced H.R. 8046 to establish national standards for online SNAP transactions and food delivery, focusing on cybersecurity, labor conditions, and food safety. Retailers face the loss of SNAP authorization unless they align their digital platforms and delivery supply chains with new federal safety and labor requirements.

6 Apr 2026, 19:02govinfo.govUnited States