Overview

In Japan, food products are regulated by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) and Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) under the Food Sanitation Act, Food Labeling Act, and the Health Promotion Law. The MHLW reviews the notification and performs an inspection to monitor food products.

According to the food labeling standards in Japan, labeling in the Japanese language on the primary food package is mandatory for all domestic and imported products. Erroneous labeling translations may lead to major reworks and a significant monetary loss.

The Food Sanitation Act obliges importers and manufacturers to submit the import notification to ensure the safety of imported foods and other related products. As the Act states that "those who wish to import food, food additives, apparatuses, or containers and packages for sale or for use in business, shall notify the MHLW on each occasion as prescribed by the Ministerial Ordinance." The imported foods and related products must not be used for sale without an import notification.

In Japan, health foods are generally referred to as "foods with health claims" and are classified into Food with Function Claims (FFC), Food with Nutrient Function Claims (FNFC), and Food for Specified Health Uses (FOSHU).

As a leading global Regulatory partner, Freyr provides food and food supplements Regulatory services in Japan and supports market entrants in complying with the Japanese food regulations.