Japan Amends the Specification and Standards for Food and Food Additives

On October 18, 2023, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) of Japan issued the Announcement No. 6, which revised the mineral water standard specified in the Specification and Standards for Food and Food Additives. According to the amendment, the standards for lead content in the following mineral water products have been revised, after a safety review by the Food Safety Commission. These revisions take effect immediately, but there is still a transitional period of 6 months.

For mineral water products (referring to refreshing beverages made solely from water) that do not undergo sterilization or disinfection:

For mineral water products that undergo sterilization or disinfection:

Recommended reading

• Other restricted substances in mineral water products