Japan Food Packaging

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) updated their food packaging materials/substances to new list system. On June 1, 2020, Japan implemented this new system scheduled to go into effect on June 1, 2025. Since its implementation in June 2020, there has been somewhat limited information about this change available in English and was only available in Japanese. MHLW has now released an English version with detailed information.

These changes allow Japan to align with other international regulations systems such as the U.S. system and assure Japanese consumers access to safer food packaging and containers using additives. The substances used and imported to Japan in the past will be allowed even after change. MHLW will continue to monitor and will update the positive list as it rolls out. MHLW and CS Japan will provide as much information as possible on this change so that U.S. exporters avoid unnecessary disruption when the new rule goes into full effect on June 1, 2025. Interested parties are encouraged to review details of the English version. 

For any questions, please contact the following MHLW department:

English details on new positive list system:
MHLW - Utensils, Containers, and Packaging
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/shokuhin/kigu/index_00003.html

MHLW
Food Safety Standards and Evaluation Division,
Pharmaceutical Safety and Environmental Health Bureau,
1-2-2, Chiyoda-ku, Kasumigaseki, Tokyo, 100-8916
E-mail: kijunpa@mhlw.go.jp　
Tel: +81-3-5253-2341

For more general information on the Japanese food packaging, please contact the U.S. Commercial Service at Office.Tokyo@trade.gov.