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Japan Proposes to Revise the Food Labeling Standards

CAA proposes updates to the Food Labeling Standards, including removing exemptions for nutrient fortification additives labeling, revising nutrient labeling values, and improving labeling rules for specific food categories. Public comments are open until January 2025, with changes expected to take effect by April 2025, allowing up to five years for some revisions.

On December 24, 2024, Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) released a draft amendment to the Food Labeling Standards. The proposed changes mainly concern food additives and nutrition labeling. Public comments can be submitted until January 28, 2025, via the e-Gov platform. Additionally, the proposal's conclusions have been submitted to the Consumer Commission for consultation.

Key Amendments:

1) Removal of Nutrient Fortification Additive Labeling Exemption

In March 2020, the Report on the Review of the Food Additive Labeling System pointed out that the existing labeling system created confusion for consumers, as some foods are required to display ingredients while others are not. Internationally, countries like the EU, Australia, and Codex do not exempt food additives used for nutrient fortification from labeling, and all substances used must be listed.

Considering consumer demand for transparency regarding additives used for nutrient fortification, CAA reviewed the exemption rule and decided to remove the exemption for such additives in general processed foods.

2) Revision of Nutrient Labeling Values

Following the 2025 Japanese Dietary Intake Standards report, the nutrient labeling values in Appendix Table 10 will be revised. This values are the recommended nutrient intake levels for food labeling, and are calculated using the average nutrient intake for different age and gender groups in Japan, aiming to support public health.

The revised nutrient labeling values are shown in the table below.

No.

Nutrients and energy

Nutrient labeling values

Before

After

1

Protein

81 grams

85 grams

2

Fat

62 grams

70 grams

3

Saturated Fatty Acids

16 grams

17 grams

4

n-6 Fatty Acids

9.0 grams

10.0 grams

5

Dietary Fiber

19 grams

20 grams

6

Zinc

8.8 milligrams

8.5 milligrams

7

Calcium

680 milligrams

700 milligrams

8

Iron

6.8 milligrams

6.5 milligrams

9

Copper

0.9 milligrams

0.8 milligrams

10

Sodium

2,900 milligrams

2,700 milligrams (however, when converted into salt equivalent, it is 7.0 grams)

11

Iodine

130 micrograms 

140 micrograms

12

Pantothenic acid

4.8 milligrams 

5.5 milligrams

13

Vitamin B1

1.2 milligrams

1.0 milligrams

14

Vitamin B12

2.4 micrograms

4.0 micrograms

15

Vitamin D

5.5 micrograms

9.0 micrograms

16

Vitamin E

6.3 milligrams

6.5 milligrams

In addition, a survey conducted in FY 2023 identified significant discrepancies in testing methods for low levels of "dietary fiber." As a result, revisions will be made to both the allowable tolerance range and the standards for displaying a zero value in Appendix Table 9. This table outlines the units, measurement methods, tolerance ranges, and the conditions under which a zero value can be reported.

Furthermore, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) will be added as an approved analysis method for vitamin B group in Appendix Table 9.

3) Review of Labeling Rules for Individual Items

Based on the results of the 2024 Subcommittee for Reviewing Labeling Rules for Individual Items, revisions will be made to the following tables in the Food Labeling Standards. These revisions aim to improve and update the food labeling system to meet current needs.

  • Table 3: Food Definition

  • Table 4: Specific Labeling Rules (Name, Ingredients, Additives, Quantity)

  • Table 5: Names Requirements

  • Table 19: Additional Labeling Requirements

  • Table 20: Labeling Format

  • Table 22: Prohibited Labeling Items

Implementation Dates

  1. The overall implementation date will be April 1, 2025. However, the amendments to the "Frozen Processed Foods" section in Appendix Tables 3, 4, 19, 20, and 22 will be implemented starting April 1, 2026.

  2. The revisions related to items 1) and 3) will have a 5-year transition period.

  3. The revisions for nutrient labeling values will have a 3-year transition period.

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