Standard Draft  / Date of Publishing: 29/12/2021

Affected region: EU

European Commission Launches Public Consultation on the Revision of EU Food Labelling Requirements

On December 13, 2021, the European Commission launched a public consultation period for the upcoming revision to the Food Information to Consumers Regulation. The Commission is seeking views on different proposed changes to front-of-pack nutrition labelling, nutrient profiling criteria to restrict claims, origin labelling, date marking, and alcoholic beverages labelling. Stakeholders have until March 7, 2022, to comment.

This revision concerns:
- Front of pack nutrition labelling and nutrient profiling criteria to restrict claims: a proposal for EU-harmonized and mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labelling and for the setting of ‘nutrient profiling’ criteria, which are thresholds of nutrients above or below which nutrition and health claims on foods are restricted.

- Origin labelling: An extension of mandatory origin indications to certain products such as meat used as an ingredient, milk, milk used as an ingredient, durum wheat for pasta, potatoes, tomato products, and rice. 

- Date marking: A revision of the EU rules on date marking (‘use by’ and ‘best before’).

Deadline for Comments: 07/03/2022

 Decree  / Date of Publishing: 20/12/2021

Affected region: Bahrain

Bahrain Raises VAT to 10%

As published in the Bahrini Gazette, the VAT in Bahrain will increase starting January 1st 2022 from 5% to 10% on all applicable products.

 Decree  / Date of Publishing: 29/12/2021

Affected region: Egypt

ES 8488:2021 LUNCHEON MEAT

This Egyptian standard will be considered as an Egyptian mandatory technical regulation.

 News  / Date of Publishing: 12/12/2021

Affected region: Bahrain

Bahrain Parliament Approves Decision to Double VAT to 10%

Bahrain’s parliament approved a bill to double the country’s Value Added Tax (VAT) from the existing 5 per cent to 10 per cent.
The bill has now been sent to the Shura Council, and if approved by the upper chamber, it will likely be introduced starting January 1, 2022.

 Notification  / Date of Publishing: 12/12/2021

Affected region: Turkey

Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Food Labelling and Information to Consumers

This regulation sets new rules to be applied to prevent misleading statements by consumers and to make labels easier to read.
With this amendment, some changes in the form of labels were made, and some new rules were added.
Food premises should comply with the amendments brought by this regulation until 31/12/2023. In other words, there is a transition period until 31/12/2023..

 Decree  / Date of Publishing: 20/12/2021

Affected region: Lebanon

Organizing the Marketing of Food Products

Owners of food factories are requested not to manufacture, package or wrap any product without registering the trademark with the Ministry of Economy.
Every food factory is prohibited from manufacturing and/or packaging any product for the benefit of others (other factory, supermarket, ...) without presenting proof of the trademark registration with the Ministry of Economy.

 Notification  / Date of Publishing: 20/12/2021

Affected region: Jordan

The Program of Inspection, Pre-examination, and Issuance of Conformity Certificates for Goods

The inspection and examination program and the issuance of certificates of conformity for the goods issued according to the requirements of the importing country to facilitate clearance procedures and quick entry to the importing country, and the inspection and inspection program according to the customer’s request, bank credit or contractual conditions in Jordan or abroad.

 Standard Draft  / Date of Publishing: 12/12/2021

Affected region: GCC

GSO 18:2021 Carbonated Beverages

This draft technical regulation applies to carbonated beverages and carbonated water (soda water) (sparkling water). This draft includes safety and labelling requirements for carbonated beverages and carbonated water.

Deadline for Comments: 24/01/2022

 News  / Date of Publishing: 12/12/2021

Affected region: Egypt

Requirements for the Importation of Meat, Poultry and their Products, Milk and Dairy Products

The General Organization for Veterinary Services (GOVS) at the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation (MoALR) requires that imports of meat, poultry, and their products, milk and dairy products be accompanied by a Halal certificate issued by the relevant certification bodies in the exporting countries as determined by General Organization for Veterinary Services (GOVS).

 Guidelines  / Date of Publishing: 12/12/2021

Affected region: KSA

Conditions & Requirements for Importing Food to Saudi Arabia

These requirements and conditions guideline published by the SFDA apply to all food products imported from the exporting countries into Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 Decree  / Date of Publishing: 12/12/2021

Affected region: UAE

Terms and Controls for Importing Fresh Vegetables and Fruits into the KSA

The terms and conditions for importing fresh vegetables and fruits into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were prepared, which was signed by the team formed in the ministry, and approved by His Excellency the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture.

 Decree  / Date of Publishing: 05/12/2021

Affected region: Jordan

Instructions for Granting a Jordanian Halal Certificate and Logo for Food

Amended Instructions to Instructions for Granting the Jordanian Halal Certificate and Logo for Food, which will be effective as of 16/12/2021.

 News  / Date of Publishing: 12/12/2021

Affected region: UAE

Change of “Front of Label Nutritional Labelling Policy” to “Voluntary Application” to Enhance the Competitiveness of the Food and Beverage Industries

The UAE Cabinet decided to amend the procedures for implementing the policy of labelling nutritional values for products from the mandatory to voluntary application of standard No. UAE.S 5034: 2018 “Nutritional Labelling of Pre-packed Products as Traffic Light Colours”, which was to oblige manufacturers to provide nutritional data for packaged food products using the colours of traffic lights.

The standard was scheduled to enter mandatory implementation in early January, while the decision to amend it is considered a step aimed at achieving legislative flexibility, removing any logistical challenges or financial burdens on manufacturers and suppliers, and in line with the objectives of the national strategy for industry and advanced technology, adopted by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. With the aim of enhancing the competitiveness of UAE products in the regional and global markets.

 Standard Draft  / Date of Publishing: 08/12/2021

Affected region:  Iraq

IQS 1127 Carbonated Beverages

This standard draft specifies the general requirements that must be met in non-alcoholic soft drinks that are packaged and intended for direct consumption.

 Standard  / Date of Publishing: 21/11/2021

Affected region:  Egypt

Ministerial Decree No. 222/2021 for "Products of Poultry Meat Treaded with Heat"

Ministerial Decree No. 222/2021 gives the producers and importers a six-month transitional period to abide by the Egyptian Standard ES 3493 "Products of poultry meat treated with heat".

Date of Entering into Force: 18/01/2022

 Decree  / Date of Publishing: 05/12/2021

Affected region: Oman

Issuing the Technical Regulation of the Conformity System

The provisions of this regulation apply to all products and product categories, except:
Products and categories of products whose safety is regulated by other laws and regulations that serve the same purpose. As for products and categories of products whose basic requirements are regulated by other laws and legislation, but do not cover all of those requirements, they shall be applied with respect to the aspects not covered by the provisions of this regulation.
Products and categories of products intended for export and manufactured in accordance with the contractual terms of the country to which they are exported, provided that none of them is offered in the markets of the Sultanate of Oman unless they meet the requirements stipulated in this system or in the technical regulations for products or product categories. 
Products and categories of products imported in simple non-commercial quantities, such as those imported for personal use or temporarily as display samples not for sale, as determined by the Directorate.

 Circular  / Date of Publishing: 05/12/2021

Affected region:  KSA

Extension of the Deadline to comply with SFDA.FD 5012 “Labelling of Nectar and Fruit Beverages"

The SFDA would like to draw the attention of food manufacturers and importers that the date to comply with the regulation in the aforementioned circular has been postponed to January 1st, 2023. This extension is intended to allow more time for SFDA clients in the private sector to better comply with the above-mentioned regulation. 

 Guidelines  / Date of Publishing: 10/11/2021

Affected region: KSA

Food Clearance Conditions and Requirements

This guideline has been prepared to help food exporters understand clearance requirements and conditions in order to facilitate and expedite transactions and avoid rejections, delays or losses due to lack of knowledge of these requirements and conditions.
It covers all imported food for commercial and industrial purposes and consumption.
It aims to clarify the conditions and requirements of food clearance through custom ports.

 Guidelines  / Date of Publishing: 10/11/2021

Affected region: KSA

Guidance for Borderline Products Classification

This guidance addresses the Saudi Food and Drug Authority’s (SFDA) current understanding of borderline products; and helps to clarify the areas where the borderline exists between two or more regulations. Moreover, this guidance explains the classification criteria and the approach to determine the most appropriate regulatory path when there is doubt or difficulty in classification.

This guidance document pertains to a product or category of products that is under the responsibility of each sector within SFDA regulation. 

 Standard  / Date of Publishing: 10/11/2021

Affected region:  Egypt

Egyptian Standard ES 8448 "Instant Coffee"

The Ministerial Decree No. 219/2021 gives the producers and importers a six-month transitional period to abide by the Egyptian Standard ES 8448 This standard is concerned with the basic requirements and descriptive criteria for the following coffee products: Instant coffee, Decaffeinated instant coffee. It does not apply to both concentrated liquid coffee extract, and coffee-based products (such as cappuccino, etc.). It should be noted that this standard cancel and replaces the requirements for instant coffee contained in Egyptian Standard ES No. 517, 1474-1/2005. Worth mentioning is that this standard complies with: ISO 3509/2005, ISO 10470/2004.

Date of Entering into Force: 18/01/2022

 Standard  / Date of Publishing: 10/11/2021

Affected region:  Egypt

Egyptian Standard ES 8449 "Green Coffee Beans Intended for Instant Coffee Manufacturing"

The Ministerial Decree No. 219/2021 that gives the producers and importers a six-month transitional period to abide by the Egyptian Standard ES 8449 This standard is concerned with the basic requirements and descriptive standards for green coffee beans used in the production of instant coffee and not intended to be used as a final product. It should be noted that this standard cancel and replaces the requirements for instant coffee contained in Egyptian Standard ES No. 517, 1474-1/2005 " Updated 2014" Worth mentioning is that this standard complies with: ISO 3509/2005, ISO 10470/2004.

Date of Entering into Force: 18/01/2022

 Standard Draft  / Date of Publishing: 01/11/2021

Affected region: KSA

Dietary Supplements

The draft aims to clarify all packaged nutritional supplements intended to enhance one or more specific nutrients in the diet. Food supplements may contain vitamins, minerals or other substances with nutritional or physiological effect, which include, but are not limited to, fatty acids, amino acids, enzymes, beneficial bacteria, probiotics and prebiotics, collagen, dietary fibre, melatonin, propolis, pollen grains, herbal or herbal extracts and others.

Deadline for Comments: 28/12/2021

 News  / Date of Publishing: 07/11/2021

Affected region: Egypt

The Decision of the Egyptian Side Regarding the Implementation of the ACI Shipments Pre-Registration System

The application of the ACI shipments pre-registration system, and that all introductory videos and comprehensive guides for implementing the system were made available in Arabic and English on the website: www.nafeza.gov.eg

 Standard Draft  / Date of Publishing: 01/11/2021

Affected region: GSO

Edible Olive Oil and Olive Pomace Oils

This Draft Gulf Technical Regulation is concerned with olive oil and olive pomace oils.

Deadline for Comments: 07/01/2022