Food contact

Materials that come in contact with food, such as wrapping, packaging, plates, cups etc have to fulfil the rules set out by the Food Sanitation Act. Japan already introduced a list of materials that would be allowed to be used for the above-mentioned purpose. This exercise, however, proved difficult for foreign organisations due to a lack of updated comprehensive information in English. In addition, there seems no harmonization in the case of mechanical recycled food contact material. According to the guidelines which was notified on 28 March 2024 mechanical recycled resin should comply to Japan positive list. It means that Europe cannot export foodstuff in mechanically recycled synthetic resin container into Japan if the exporter cannot prove the origin waste synthetic resin is aligned with the Japanese positive list. While the positive list is now final, due to changes are delay in information published in English, many foreign packaging manufacturers have delayed their checks on whether or not their products fulfil the Japanese regulations. This is turn makes it difficult for food manufacturers and importers to know whether the product is compliant.