Japan Proposes Revisions to Food and Food Additive Standards

On July 29, 2024, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare issued an important proposal to revise the specifications and standards for some foods and food additives (No. 235110003) to strengthen China's food safety management system. This initiative reflects the Japanese government's continued commitment to public health and consumer rights, as well as strict requirements for the use of food additives.

The first element of the proposal concerns restrictions on the use of calcium carboxymethyl cellulose. According to the new regulations, the amount of carboxymethyl cellulose calcium added to food should not exceed 2.0% of the total weight of food. At the same time, if used with other additives such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium starch glycolate and methyl cellulose, the upper limit of the total dosage is also set at 2.0%. This adjustment is aimed at preventing health risks that may result from overuse and ensuring that the nutritional content and quality of food are not compromised.

Secondly, the proposal emphasizes the regulation of food additives that need to specify composition specifications and storage standards. These additives must strictly comply with the corresponding specifications and standards to prevent potential food safety issues. This will require greater transparency from food producers to ensure that consumers have access to accurate and comprehensive food information.

To ensure the fairness and comprehensiveness of the revisions, the public comment period on the proposal will continue until September 2, 2024. During this period, Japanese food manufacturers, research institutions, consumer advocacy organizations, and individual members of the public will have the opportunity to provide feedback and suggestions on the proposal, providing diverse perspectives and in-depth insights into the final formulation of the policy.

The Japanese government's revised proposal not only reflects its zero-tolerance attitude toward food safety issues, but also demonstrates its rigor and scientific nature in the formulation of food safety regulations. Through extensive collection and consideration of the opinions of all parties, Japan is expected to develop more stringent and adapt to the development of the industry's food additive standards, so as to further protect the health rights and interests of consumers, maintain the stability and sustainable development of the food market.