On October 8, 2025, the first meeting on Foods with Nutrient Function Claims (FNFC) (FY2025) (Japanese) was held.
This fiscal year’s meeting will focus on two main issues: the minimum and maximum permitted levels, and the functions of nutrients.

In this article, I would like to outline the background of the review of the FNFC system and summarize these two key issues.

Background of the review of the FNFC system

Since its introduction in 2001, the FNFC system has undergone several revisions, such as the addition of new nutrients and the revision of the minimum and maximum permitted levels for nutrients. However, the descriptions of nutrient functions and precautionary statements have remained unchanged since the system was first introduced.

In particular, the wording used to describe nutrient functions has become inconsistent with the Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese (2025 edition)(Japanese). This inconsistency was pointed out in the FY2019 Report on the Amendment of the Standard Values for Nutritional Labelling (Japanese). In light of these circumstances, a review of the FNFC system has recently been initiated.

Review topics: Minimum and maximum permitted levels and functions of nutrients

1. Minimum and maximum permitted levels

A draft proposal titled Proposed Calculation Method for Revising the Minimum and Maximum Permitted Levels for FNFC (FY2025) (Japanese) has been presented.
The meeting plans to review and evaluate the validity of this proposed calculation method.

Regarding the minimum permitted levels, the current basis (30% of Standard Daily Intake Reference Values for the nutritional components involved) will remain unchanged, and the levels will be recalculated based on the 2025 edition of the Standard Values for Nutritional Labelling. Due to this revision, the minimum permitted levels for vitamin B12 and vitamin D are expected to increase significantly.

On the other hand, the validity of the approach used to determine each nutrient’s maximum permitted level will be reviewed using the calculation method developed in 2014 for additional nutrients under the FNFC system (Japanese). Specifically, the following proposals have been made:

Magnesium: To use the Standard Values for Nutrient Labelling as the maximum permitted levels starting from this review.

Zinc and Copper: To maintain the current calculation method but adopt new maximum permitted levels calculated based on the revised Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL).

2. Functions of Nutrients

The wording of the functions of nutrients for FNFC was originally established based on the Sixth Revised Recommended Dietary Allowances for the Japanese – Dietary Reference Intakes.

Subsequently, the Study/Research Project on the Labelling of Nutrient Functions (Japanese) was carried out in FY2021, followed by the Research Project on the Review of Nutrient Function Labelling for FNFC(Japanese) in FY2023.
During these projects, the review policy was organized and a draft proposal for the revision was created.

At this first meeting, a draft proposal to revise the wording for nutrient function labelling in FNFC (Japanese) was presented, based on the previously developed draft proposal for the revision.
In addition to updating existing wording expressions, the proposal introduces new functional statements. For example, for vitamin C, it has been proposed to add a new statement such as:
“Vitamin C is a nutrient that helps promote the absorption of iron in the intestines.”

Outlook for the amendment of the FNFC System

During FY2025, approximately three meetings are scheduled to discuss the two issues mentioned above. Then in FY2026’s meeting, the precautionary statements for consumption are expected to be reviewed, followed by a partial amendment to the Food Labelling Standards (TBD for further meeting schedules).

Businesses in related industries are advised to keep a closer look at future developments.

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