Japan to Revise the Specifications of Two Food Additives

On April 23, 2015, The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan (MHLW) preannounced the revision of Specifications and Standards for Food Additives. The period for public consultation is until May 22, 2015.

Ammonium isovalerate is currently indicated as a food additive which poses no harm to human body. Under the new revision the specifications and application standard of this substance have been amended and in future ammonium isovalerate will only be allowed to be used as a flavoring.

Calcium silicate is allowed to be used in foods (except infant formula products) with a maximum usage of 2.0%. Health (functional) foods and foods with nutrition functional claims in capsule or tablet form have been revised to be exempted from such limitation.