The global shift towards sustainable food systems has sparked innovations in food sources and production systems, including cell-based meat, plant-based food products, precision fermentation, and 3D food printing. These advancements pose regulatory challenges and opportunities, with China emerging as a critical player in adopting and regulating new food technologies. This review explores the international landscape of new food sources and production systems (NFPS), focusing on China’s role and regulatory approaches compared to global practices. Through this comparative analysis, we aim to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on food safety regulation, offering insights and recommendations for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers engaged in the global food system’s evolution. This comprehensive overview underscores the dynamic nature of regulatory frameworks governing NFPS, highlighting the international efforts to ensure food safety, consumer protection, and the sustainable evolution of the food industry.

Given the severe toxicity and widespread presence of cadmium (Cd) in staple foods such as rice, accurate dietary exposure assessments are imperative for public health. In vitro bioavailability is commonly used to adjust dietary exposure levels of risk factors; however, traditional planar Transwell models have limitations, such as cell dedifferentiation and lack of key intestinal components, necessitating a more physiologically relevant in vitro platform. This study introduces an innovative three-dimensional (3D) intestinal organoid model using a microfluidic chip to evaluate Cd bioavailability in food. Caco-2 cells were cultured on the chip to mimic small intestinal villi's 3D structure, mucus production, and absorption functions. The model's physiological relevance was thoroughly characterized, demonstrating the formation of a confluent epithelial monolayer with well-developed tight junctions (ZO-1), high microvilli density (F-actin), and significant mucus secretion (Alcian blue staining), closely resembling the physiological intestinal epithelium. Fluorescent particle tracking confirmed its ability to simulate intestinal transport and diffusion. The Cd bioavailability in rice measured by the 3D intestinal organoid model (9.07% ± 0.21%) was comparable to the mouse model (12.82% ± 3.42%) but significantly lower than the Caco-2 monolayer model (26.97% ± 1.11%). This 3D intestinal organoid model provides a novel and reliable strategy for in vitro assessment of heavy metal bioavailability in food, with important implications for food safety and risk assessment.

To investigate the role of nutrients intake during pregnancy with longitudinal development of rhinitis, asthma, eczema, wheeze, and food allergy in offspring. The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library were searched for articles published throughout May 2022. The pooled effect estimate were presented using relative risk and calculated by the random-effects model. Twenty-three prospective cohort studies enrolling 210817 individuals were included. The risk of wheeze in offspring were lowered when high vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc, and milk intakes during pregnancy, whereas high meat intake during pregnancy could induce additional risk of wheeze in offspring. Moreover, high β-carotene and magnesium intakes during pregnancy were related to lower eczema risk in offspring, whereas eczema risk in offspring was increased for pregnant women with high intake of butter and margarine. Finally, the asthma risk in offspring could protect against for pregnant women with high intake of vitamin D and apple, whereas high folic acid during pregnancy could produce excess asthma risk in offspring. This study provides the summary evidences regarding the role of nutrients intake during pregnancy and subsequent risk of rhinitis, asthma, eczema, wheeze, and food allergy, and further effective intervention strategies should be employed to improve childhood allergic diseases.