Food contact

Committee:
Food & Agriculture
status:
Some progress
Published:
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 allowed to be used for the above-mentioned purpose. Several other markets are also using positive lists.  This exercise, however, proved difficult for foreign organisations due to a lack of updated comprehensive information in English. The Japanese Government should create route to accept direct application from suppliers in other countries. In addition, there seems no harmonization in the case of mechanical recycled food contact material. According to the guideline which was notified on 28 March 2024, ingredient waste synthetic resin for 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.

Recommendations

  • Japan should allow resins allowed in the EU and the US.
  • Japan should urgently publish updated comprehensive information in English.
  • Japan should provide guidance on how to know which polymer group a specific compound belongs to. Also that is easy to identify the various compounds. Currently some compounds are classified differently in Japan.
  • Japan should make it possible for overseas producers to apply directly in regard to having compounds approved, as this would deal with the issue of confidentiality.
  • Japan should make use of ISO standards as tests methods, as to avoid specific testing for the Japan market.
  • Considering current sustainability conscious circumstances, Japan should develop a scheme to accept mechanically recycled synthetic resin from waste resin in EU as food contact material.