Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency Seeks Opinions on Food Labeling Standard Revisions

On December 24, 2024, Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency announced a public consultation on the partial revision of the Food Labeling Standards, with feedback due by January 28, 2025. The main contents of the revision include:

1. Removal of the provision that allows exemptions for additives used for nutritional fortification from labeling;
2. Revision of the "labeling standard values for nutrients";
3. Amendments to labeling regulations for specific categories of food.

The proposed implementation of the revisions will occur in three phases:

• Phase One: The overall implementation date is set for April 1, 2025. However, the revisions for “prepared frozen foods” listed in Schedule 3, Schedule 4, Schedule 19, Schedule 20, and Schedule 22 will take effect on April 1, 2026.
• Phase Two: The revisions mentioned in (1) and (3) will have a five-year transition period.
• Phase Three: Certain revisions in (2) will have a three-year transition period.