Japan food labeling and food safety rules
Changes to food labeling standards, additives, allergens, residues and hygiene rules from the Consumer Affairs Agency, MHLW and MAFF, plus food recalls.
AI summaries and translations, not legal advice. The original Japanese notice is authoritative: each item links to it. Deadlines are taken from the original notices. Last updated Nov 6, 2026.
- Action requiredDue Nov 27, 2026
MAFF orders Tsuritsu Co. to correct mislabeled origin on business-use salted mackerel fillets
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) found that Tsuritsu Co. mislabeled the origin of mackerel and the country of origin on its business-use salted mackerel fillets, sold between July 31, 2025 and January 31, 2026 (19,215 kg in total). Under the Food Labeling Act, MAFF has ordered the company to inspect and correct its labels, investigate the causes, strengthen labeling checks and staff training, and submit a report. The violations were of the Food Labeling Standards.
- ImportantDue Dec 4, 2026
Public comment on draft amendment to the list of processed seafood products under the Fisheries Distribution Proper Act rules
The Fisheries Agency (MAFF) is seeking public comments on a draft amendment to a ministerial notification under the Act on Proper Distribution of Specified Aquatic Animals and Plants (水産流通適正化法). The notification sets which processed products are covered by the Act's rules (Articles 2 and 4 of the Enforcement Regulation). The text of the specific changes is in the attached PDFs, which were not included in this notice.
- Important
From January 2027, Japan's trade statistics will track exports of packaged rice, instant miso soup, carbonated drinks and 6 other food items separately
From January 2027 trade data, the Ministry of Finance's trade statistics (貿易統計) will break out export figures for nine food products, including packaged cooked rice, instant miso soup, carbonated drinks such as ramune, soy sauce products, frozen pizza and takoyaki, konjac products, oyster meat, fried oysters and dried scallop adductors. The new statistical subdivisions will record destination, value and quantity for these items more accurately. The change is aimed at helping the government plan export support for these products.
- FYI
MLIT launches a logistics 'general opinion desk' for reporting on-site problems
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) opened a single email channel on March 22, 2024 for logistics concerns from the field. Submissions are shared with the police, consumer affairs, labor, agriculture, economy and environment ministries. The aim is to address logistics bottlenecks quickly, especially those arising after April 2024.