On March 18, the Ministry of Health released the draft for comments on the 2013 National Food Safety Standard Project Plan (hereinafter referred to as the Plan). According to the Plan, the standards for nutritional products for pregnant women, lying-in women and lactating mothers will be included in this year’s national food safety standard project initiation work.

It is reported that relevant departments of the Ministry of Health collected standard project proposals submitted nationwide through an online platform. As of January 11, 2013, the Food Risk Assessment Center had received a total of 644 standard project proposals, including 560 proposals for formulating standards and 84 proposals for revising standards.

Based on these opinions and suggestions, there are 18 national food safety standard formulation and revision projects planned to be carried out this year, including 1 food product, 3 testing methods, 9 food additives, 1 nutritional fortifier, 2 nutritional and special dietary foods, and 2 production and operation specifications.

Among food products, after seeking the opinions of the Food Products Subcommittee of the Evaluation Committee, it was determined that “Algae Products” would be included in the 2013 food product standard project initiation plan; among nutritional and special dietary foods, it is recommended to initiate projects such as “General Standard for Nutritional Supplements for Pregnant and Lactating Women”.