Legal basis: People's Republic of China (PRC) Food Safety Law.
Article 37 Where new food raw materials are used to produce food, or new varieties of food additives or new varieties of food-related products are produced, the safety evaluation materials of relevant products shall be submitted to the administrative department of urban health of the State Council. The health administrative department of the State Council shall organize the examination within 60 days from the date of receiving the application; In line with food safety requirements, license and publish; If it does not meet the food safety requirements, it shall not be allowed and the reasons shall be explained in writing.
Article 38 Drugs may not be added to foods produced and marketed, but substances that are both traditional foods and Chinese herbal medicines may be added. Traditionally, the list of substances that are both food and Chinese herbal medicines is formulated and published by the health administrative department of the State Council in conjunction with the food safety supervision and administration department of the State Council.
Article 39 The state practices a licensing system for the production of food additives. To engage in the production of food additives, it is necessary to have a place, production equipment or facilities, professional and technical personnel and management system suitable for the varieties of food additives produced, and obtain a food additive production license in accordance with the procedures specified in the second paragraph of Article 35 of this Law. The production of food additives shall comply with food safety laws, regulations and national standards.