. /.   WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SPS/N/CHN/359 
2 May 2011  
 (11-2230) 
Committee on Sanitary a nd Phytosanitary Measures Original:   English 
  
 
NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY MEASURES 
 
1. Notifying Member:  CHINA
 
If applicable, name of local government involved:     
2. Agency responsible:  Ministry of Health 
3. Products covered (provide tariff item numbe r(s) as specified in national schedules 
deposited with the WTO;  ICS numbers should be provided in addition, where 
applicable):  Food additive Lutein 
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable: 
[X] All trading partners   
[ ] Specific regions or countries:    
5. Title of the notified document:  National Food Safety Standard: Food Additive Lutein 
Language(s):  Chinese  Number of pages:  8 
 http://members.wto.org/crnatt achments/2011/sps/CHN/11_0678_00_x.pdf  
6. Description of content:  This standard applies to food additive lutein obtained from 
marigold (Tages erecta L.) oleoresin through saponi fication, extraction and purification.  It 
specifies the technical requirements and t esting methods for food additive lutein. 
7. Objective and rationale:  [X] food safety, [ ] animal health, [ ] plant protection, 
[  ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [ ] protect territory from other 
damage from pests.    
8. Nature of the urgent problem(s) and reason for urgent action:  Protection of human 
life. 
9. Is there a relevant international standard ?  If so, identify the standard:  
[X] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g. title or serial number of Codex standard 
or related text) The specification of lutein deicide at the 63rd JECFA (2004) 
[ ] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g. Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number)   
[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g. ISPM number)   
[ ] None Does this proposed regulation conform to  the relevant international standard? 
 [ ] Yes   [X] No 
 G/SPS/N/CHN/359 
Page 2  
 
   If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the 
international standard:  Most of the requirements are consistent.  The format of the 
standard and the requirements for methanol , propylene glycol, waxes and arsenic are 
different.  The residual for methanol and propyl ene glycol are not required in this standard 
because methanol and propylene glycol are not u sed in the process of lutein.  Waxes are not 
required in this standard because it is ubiqui tous in vegetables and it will not do harm to 
people.  The requirement for arsenic is not re quired in Codex standard but is required as no 
more than 3mg/kg in this standard because ar senic is a common contaminant in China.  
10. Other relevant documents and langua ge(s) in which these are available:   Chinese 
11. Date of entry into force ( dd/mm/yy )/period of application (as applicable):  15 May 2011   
[ ] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Agency or authority designated to handl e comments:  [ ] National Notification 
Authority, [X] National Enquiry Point.  Address, fax number and e-mail address (if 
available) of other body:    
13. Texts available from:  [ ] National Notification Authority, [X] National Enquiry Point.  
Address, fax number and e-mail address (if available) of other body: