Here’s a summary of the key developments in the regulation of health supplements and traditional medicine in the Asia-Pacific region:
Major Developments
- China and Taiwan: China approved new joint health claims, while Taiwan proposed reclassifying Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) ingredients under a revised regulatory framework.
Safety Evaluations
- Regulatory Scrutiny: Countries like Australia, India, and South Korea are increasing scrutiny on botanicals such as ashwagandha and andrographis due to rising adverse events.
- India: The Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) banned the use of ashwagandha leaves in food products, sparking industry debate and a legal challenge that temporarily halted the ban.
- Australia: The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) issued a safety advisory regarding ashwagandha and proposed removing andrographis from low-risk ingredient lists due to potential risks.
New Approvals
- Expanded Use Guidelines:
- Coenzyme Q10 and melatonin can now be formulated as oral liquids in China.
- 3’-sialyllactose (3′-SL) is approved for use in infant formulas, joining other human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs).
Labeling Updates
- Health Claims: China permits joint health claims, including those supporting bone and joint health, reflecting growing demand.
- Australia/New Zealand: New rules require advisory statements for sport nutrition products containing caffeine, addressing concerns for breastfeeding women.
Traceability and Advertising Controls
- Singapore: Plans to implement a health supplement notification system to improve product traceability.
- Vietnam: Launched an online traceability platform to combat counterfeit products after a series of scandals.
- China: Authorities are working with livestream commerce platforms to enforce stricter advertising regulations.
These developments indicate a significant shift towards tighter regulations, safety evaluations, and improved product traceability in the health supplement sector across the Asia-Pacific region.
