On 6 March, the Shenzhen Administration for Market Regulation issued Implementation Rules of Shenzhen Municipality for Supervision and Random Inspection of the Quality of Food-related Products in 2026. Items subject to random inspections include pacifiers, food contact materials and products made of enamel, ceramics, glass, plastic, paper, paperboard, metal, coated substances, etc.

Regulations on the Registration and Administration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food will enter into force on 1 June. In view of this, on 18 March the General Administration of Customs (GAC) issued details of relevant catalogue lists, customs declaration requirements, registration procedures and inquiry channels.

The updated Detailed Rules on Examination of Production Licensing for Formula Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP) was released by the State Administration for Market Regulation on 3 March and took effect on the same day. The rules consist of 43 articles spanning seven chapters, and include stringent requirements for production sites, equipment and facilities, technological procedures, personnel management, institutional management and other areas.

Small-format franchising is now popular among entrepreneurs in the Philippines, with non-domestic businesses not immune to its allure.

The State Administration for Market Regulation and the Ministry of Commerce jointly announced on 13 February that they will further strengthen regulatory oversight of recalls of food imported through cross-border e-commerce retailing.

The Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced on 27 February that China will not impose additional tariffs on certain imports from Canada from 1 March to 31 December 2026. Additional tariffs that were previously imposed on imports from Canada – specifically 100% on oil cakes and peas, and 25% on lobsters and crabs – will be suspended during this period.

The Vietnamese government has suspended the implementation of Decree No. 46/2026/ND-CCP, as set out in Resolution No. 09/2026/NQ-CP. The suspension aims to ensure stable supply of import food, following disruption caused by stricter food import inspections. The suspension will remain until 15 April 2026, until then the previous regulatory framework under Decree No. 15/2018/ND-CP will apply.

Malaysia restricts metals migration from ceramic cookware.

The European Commission published Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/459 on 25 February 2026 in response to food safety incidents perceived to be serious involving infant formula contaminated with cereulide, a heat‑stable toxin produced by certain strains of Bacillus cereus. Investigations by EU Member States, supported by notifications in the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), identified arachidonic acid (ARA) oil originating in the Chinese Mainland and used in infant formula production as the source of the contamination. The Regulation entered into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal.

India has mandated the use of two national standards and the standard mark for specified food contact articles.