Food Labeling Law In Japan Come March 2015
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014, KUALA LUMPUR: – Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) announced that the government of Japan has introduced a new guideline on food labeling law which is expected to be implemented in March 2015. The new guideline requires importers to declare the effects of ingredients on specific areas of human body, for instance, “(the food) supports liver functionâ€.
Importers have to notify the Japan Consumer Affairs Agency on their newly labeled products and publish research method and its results on the Japan Consumer Affairs Agency’s website. This is to provide customers with easy access to detail information on a particular food product. Importers are also required to print disclaimers to alert consumers that the food products are not officially endorsed by the government.
According to Mr. Kua Kiat Chye, Director of MATRADE Japan, “To win acceptance of Japanese health conscious consumers, it is crucial for Malaysia’s food and beverages manufacturers and exporters to comply with the new guideline and to closely engage with their importers in Japan in undertaking a more aggressive marketing strategy in tapping Japan’s huge health food marketâ€.
“As all food products being sold in Japan are required to be labeled in the Japanese language, Malaysia’s exporters of food and beverages are also advised to have their products’ labeling and packaging in the Japanese languageâ€, he added.
Japan’s market size of health food is currently valued at RM58 billion and its imports of health food products from Malaysia last year totaled RM47 million. The increasing demand for health food and beverage products in Japan offers greater opportunities for Malaysia’s companies to increase exports of health food and beverage products to the market.
