In accordance with the Interim Measures for the Administration of Product Quality Supervision and Random Sampling Inspections (Order No. 18 [2019] of the State Administration for Market Regulation), the Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation released implementation rules for quality supervision and random inspections of eight categories of food-related products on 19 August.

Mexico has further extended from 31 December 2025 to 1 January 2028 a temporary flexibility adopted within the framework of the labelling requirements for pre-packaged food and non-alcoholic beverages.

Thailand has regulated two types of food contact plastic bags under two national standards. In mid-2024, Thailand consulted over the use of TIS 1207-25XX (20XX) ‘Plastic bags for food’ and TIS 3022-25XX (20XX) ‘Microwavable food plastic bag for reheating’ as mandatory national standards for these food contact materials (FCM) and articles (SafeGuardS 108/24).

Tapping one of tourism’s fastest-growing and highest-spending segments, Hong Kong is carving out an identity as a Muslim-friendly destination.

Malaysia is widely regarded as a global Halal food hub, given its status as a leading Halal food exporter and importer. During the recent field trip to Malaysia, the HKTDC Research interviewed various Halal food industry players, including government bodies and private sector organisations in the country, with a view to exploring opportunities for Hong Kong businesses in this industry.

The Food and Drug Administration continues to detain a broad range of food and other regulated products from Mainland China and Hong Kong as part of its mission to prevent the importation of food, drugs, biologics, cosmetics, medical devices and radiation-emitting electronic products that fail to meet the requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

Mainland restaurant chains are meeting international demand by cultivating the mid-to-high-end market, overturning their fast-food stereotyping.

Mainland China’s culinary sector is expanding globally, diversifying its products and supply chains and standardising management operations.

The Indonesian government has deferred an excise tax on packaged sugar-sweetened drinks to 2026, the Ministry of Finance announced on 17 June 2025. The Ministry originally planned to implement the tax in July 2025 to address the overconsumption of sugar and growing health concerns in the country.

On 26 June, the General Administration of Customs announced inspection, quarantine and hygiene requirements for imports of dairy products from Hong Kong to the Mainland. Hong Kong dairy products that meet the relevant requirements are now allowed to be exported to the Mainland. They must be accompanied by health certificates issued by the Hong Kong Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and each batch must come with an original certificate as proof of compliance with relevant regulations.