China's National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA), under the
National Health Commission, announced the Requirements for Application
Materials for Safety Evaluation of Genetically Modified Microorganisms Used
in Food Processing (Trial). This document provides clear and detailed needs
for the safety assessment of new food raw materials, new varieties of
food-related products, and new varieties of food additives produced from
genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs). The document was released on
September 13, 2024.



According to the Attaché Report released by the USDA Foreign Agricultural
Service (FAS) regarding the document, the release of the requirements
signifies that in addition to food additives, GMMs derived products without
residual exogenous genes and GMMs can also be used as new food raw materials
and new varieties of food-related products.



The industry interprets that NHC is the focal point for assessment and
approval when the final products do not contain foreign genes and residual
live cells of GMMs. This implies that such products are not required to go
through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs' safety evaluation for
GMOs.



[fas.usda.gov]
ed-microorganisms-derived-products-food