On July 1, 2026, Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency issued a public consultation on proposed revisions to the Food Labeling Standards. This revision marks the first comprehensive overhaul of functional claim wording, nutrient reference values, and precautionary statements for nutritional functional foods since the system was first established in 2001.
The Food Labeling Standards serve as the core implementing regulation under the Food Labeling Act. The Food Labeling Act, which came into effect on April 1, 2015, consolidated the food labeling provisions previously scattered across the Food Sanitation Act, the JAS Act, and the Health Promotion Act. The Food Labeling Standards classify foods into three categories—processed foods, fresh foods, and food additives—with separate labeling requirements for consumer use and industrial use.
Key Revisions in This Proposal
1. Adjustments to Lower and Upper Limits for Certain Nutrients
- Zinc: lower limit raised from 2.55 mg to 2.64 mg; upper limit lowered from 17 mg to 15 mg
- Pantothenic acid: lower limit lowered from 1.64 mg to 1.44 mg
- Vitamin B1: lower limit raised from 0.30 mg to 0.36 mg
These adjustments are based on the latest scientific evidence from the Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese (2025 Edition).
2. Substantive Revisions to Functional Claims for Multiple Vitamins and Minerals
- Vitamin B1: the claim has been revised from "contributes to energy production" to "contributes to energy production from carbohydrates and helps maintain healthy skin and mucous membranes"
- Vitamin K: the two existing claims—"supports bone formation" and "supports normal blood clotting"—have been consolidated into a single claim: "maintains normal blood clotting function"
- Zinc: a new statement has been added to the existing claims: "participates in protein and nucleic acid metabolism and contributes to the maintenance of good health"
3. Clarification of Labeling Names for Various Types of Sauces and Liquid Seasonings
On July 3, 2026, Japan notified this revision to the WTO (G/TBT/N/JPN/911), with the deadline for WTO member comments set for September 1, 2026. The domestic public comment period in Japan will close on July 30, 2026.
Reference
https://public-comment.e-gov.go.jp/pcm/detail?CLASSNAME=PCMMSTDETAIL&Mode=0&id=235080088