Homology of medicine and food has a long-standing tradition in China and has become an integral component of the daily dietary practices of people. China' s regulation of substances traditionally used as both food and Chinese medicinal materials (hereinafter referred to as“food and medicinal substances, FAMS”) began in 1982 with the promulgation of the Food Hygiene Law of the People' s Republic of China (Trial), which initiated a catalogue-based regulation model for such substances. This model was subsequently refined through successive amendments to the Food Safety Law. In 2021, the Administrative Provisions on the FAMS Catalogue were issued, for the first time explicitly defining FAMS, specifying the procedures and requirements for their inclusion in the catalogue, and stipulating requirements for their use as well as for their production and operation. These provisions standardized the management of FAMS. In recent years, the range of listed FAMS has expanded. The increasingly improved regulatory policies, while supporting the Healthy China strategy and meeting the diversified health needs of the public, have also significantly boosted regional economic growth and industrial development. However, the current management and industrial development of FAMS and its products in China still face challenges, including incomplete coverage of quality and safety standards and a lag in the development of high-quality products with clear scientific evidence. Therefore, it is necessary to further improve the supporting policies related to FAMS catalogue, and to establish a well-developed support system for the FAMS industry, so as to better leverage the catalogue's role in safeguarding health and promoting development.