Newsletter
Columns on Food Labeling/Regulations in Japan
Tag Archives: Japan
Mandatory allergen labeling for walnuts and others:“Food Labeling Standards”, ”Regarding Food Labeling Standards”, ”Food Labeling Standards Q&A” Revised (Japan)
On March 9, 2023, the Consumer Affairs Agency(CAA) announced revisions to “Food Labeling Standards”, “Regarding Food Labeling Standards”, and “Food Labeling Standards Q&A”. The main revisions include the mandatory labeling of allergens for walnuts and the addition of rapeseed producing EPA / DHA* to the list of specified genetically modified agricultural products**. In this article,… more »
Revision draft of Japan’s Specifications and Standards for Food Additives
On February 9, 2023, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) published the 10th edition of Japan’s Specifications and Standards for Food Additives (draft). Under the provisions of Article 21 of the Food Sanitation Act, the specifications and standards and the standards for use of food additives shall be included in Japan’s Specifications and… more »
Report of the discussion on the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations published (Japan)
On January 13, 2023, the Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) published “the report of the discussion on the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations”. The report was compiled after 10 rounds of discussions starting in March 2022. The report summarized issues to be considered in the future including the “introduction of Commitment Procedure that allows… more »
Japan’s System for the Operation of Geographical Indication Protection reviewed
The Geographical Indication (GI) Protection System is a system to protect names of products with properties such as quality and social reputation, and so on that have been nurtured by natural, human, and social factors and environments unique to the region as regional intellectual property. The system has already been introduced in more than 100… more »
Importance of Guidelines related to the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations (Japan)
This month, we will take up the topic on the page of “Guidelines related to the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations” (the Consumer Affairs Agency) for business operators handling foods to check it again. I hope this will be good opportunity to remind people of the importance of “Misleading representations” under the Act… more »
Comments invitation on partial revision draft of Food Labeling Standards started ~Addition of walnuts to the list of Specified allergens (mandatory labeling items for allergens) and Addition of rapeseed producing EPA/DHA to the list of specified genetically modified agricultural products~(Japan)
On October 13, 2022, the Consumer Affairs Agency announced the start of invitation for public comment on the “Partial Revision of Food Labeling Standards.” The public comment was closed on November 12. Summary of the revision According to the public comment procedure, the outline of the revision draft is as follows. Revision of mandatory allergen… more »
Differences in food labeling and its concept between the United Kingdom and Japan
Since the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) entered into force on January 1, 2021, the free trade agreement between the UK and Japan has continued to evolve, bringing tremendous benefits to both countries in their main markets including food and beverage. Regarding the current state of the UK market, in 2020, about half (46%)… more »
Japanese Agricultural Standards (JAS) for “Processed Food Suitable for Vegetarians or Vegans” established (JAPAN)
On September 6, 2022, the Japanese Agricultural Standards (JAS) for processed foods suitable for vegetarians or vegans was established. It was added to the JAS list on the website of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on the same day, and we would like to summarize the outline and key points for labeling below.… more »
Inviting comments started about the partial revision(draft) “Matters to be Noted relating to Health Foods under the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations and the Health Promotion Act” (Japan)
On August 9, 2022, the Consumer Affairs Agency(CAA) prepared and announced a partial revision (draft) of “Matters to be Noted relating to Health Foods under the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations and the Health Promotion Act”. From the same day until September 7, comments were invited through public comments. The purpose of the… more »
Regarding the partial revision of “Labeling standard for manufacturing method and quality for Sake” (Japan)
On July 19, 2022, the National Tax Agency issued a notice “Partial revision of the statutory interpretation on Liquor Tax Act and acts /regulations, etc. related to liquor administration (the notice on statutory interpretation). Labeling standard for manufacturing method and quality for Sake (National Tax Agency Notification No. 8 of 1989) was enacted in November… more »
