Japan Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards 2018 Review

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering the 2018 Japan Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards (FAIRS) report, focusing on legal requirements, labeling standards, chemical tolerances, and import procedures.

According to the GAIN Report JA8113, which three entities are recommended for consultation by U.S. food and agricultural suppliers prior to shipping products to Japan?

Local Japanese importers, appropriate U.S. regulatory agencies, and the FAS/Japan’s 2018 FAIRS Export Certificate Report.

What are the seven major laws in Japan that govern food and agricultural products including imports?

1) Food Safety Basic Act, 2) Food Sanitation Act, 3) Health Promotion Law, 4) Japan Agricultural Standards Law, 5) Plant Protection Law, 6) Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control, and 7) Food Labeling Law.

Which body was established by the Food Safety Basic Act specifically for food-related risk assessment?

The Food Safety Commission (FSC).

What are the four categories of food additives regulated under the Food Sanitation Act in Japan?

Designated Additives, Existing Additives, Natural Flavoring Agents, and Ordinary Foods Used as Food Additives.

What information regarding artificial colors must be provided at the time of import to facilitate customs clearance in Japan?

Artificial colors must be identified by their chemical name and their international color index number.

Which center was established in 2014 to assist companies with applications for food additive use in Japan, and what is its cost for consultation?

The Food Additive Designation Consultation Center (FADCC), which provides consultations free of charge.

Under the Liquor Tax Act, which agency provides the final additional approval for additives used in alcoholic beverages?

Japan’s National Tax Agency (NTA).

When did Japan introduce the 'positive list system' for agricultural chemical residues, feed additives, and veterinary drugs?

May 29, 2006.

What is the uniform tolerance level applied to chemical-commodity combinations that have no official or provisional Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs)?

$$0.01\,ppm$$

What are the two conditions under which Japan's 30 percent 'enhanced monitoring' on an industry-wide level can be lifted?

After 60 clean tests among the industry or if no further detection occurs for one year following the initial violation.

If a specific MRL violation occurs two times by two different operators, what action does MHLW take toward that country's imports of the product?

MHLW issues an 'Inspection Order,' which requires 100 percent hold and test.

What is the only exception to Japan's ban on food irradiation, and for what purpose is it allowed?

Potatoes, which may be irradiated to suppress germination.

The Food Labeling Law requires seven specific ingredients to be labeled as allergens. What are they?

Shrimp, crab, wheat, buckwheat, egg, dairy products, and peanut.

What is the maximum allowed percentage of GE components for a grain product to still be labeled as 'Non-GE' in Japan?

$$5\%$$

How does Japan’s Liquor Tax Act define an 'alcoholic beverage' in terms of content?

A beverage with an alcohol content of $1\%$ or higher.

Under the new wine labeling standards implemented on October 30, 2018, what is the definition of 'Japan Wine'?

Wine that is produced and bottled in Japan using only grapes harvested in Japan.

What are the five mandatory nutritional components that must be labeled in processed foods starting in April 2020?

1) Calories (kilocalories), 2) protein (grams), 3) fat (grams), 4) carbohydrate (grams), and 5) sodium (salt equivalent grams).

As of November 26, 2018, how many Genetically Engineered (GE) events has Japan approved for food use?

$$319$$

Which types of products were covered in the January 1, 2014, organic equivalency arrangement between the United States and Japan?

Organic plant products, including fungi and plant-based processed products.

What must the temperature of freezing be for frozen fruits and vegetables to be permitted entry into Japan?

Must be at least $0\,^{\circ}F$

Which U.S. program must beef and beef product establishments be listed on to export to Japan?

The AMS Official Listing of Approved Suppliers for the USDA QSA Program for Japan under the LT30 QSA Program.

What specific list must exporters or packers of oysters for raw consumption be listed on?

The Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List (ICSSL).

To which office must a 'Notification Form of Importation of Foods, etc.' be submitted when importing food into Japan?

The Food Sanitation Inspection Section of the MHLW Quarantine Stations.

What are the two standard options for disposing of cargo found to be in violation of the Food Sanitation Act?

The cargo must be re-exported, destroyed, or diverted to non-food use.

Under the Japan Customs 'Advance Filing Rules,' when must shipping companies electronically submit info on maritime container cargoes?

In principle, 24 hours before departure of the vessel from a port of loading.

What are the three categories of GE claims that can currently be made on food labels in Japan?

Non-GE, GE, and Non-segregated.

Which Japanese act protects the names of specific agricultural, forestry and fishery products as intellectual property?

The Geographical Indication (GI) Act.

What distinction identifies 'Regional Collective Trademarks' from 'Geographical Indications (GIs)'?

Regional Collective Trademarks have specific owners (members of associations), while GI products are common assets of a region.

Under the Health Promotion Law, what are the five categories of Food for Special Dietary Uses (FOSDU)?

1) Foods for sick people, 2) powdered formula for pregnant/lactating women, 3) infant powdered/liquid formula, 4) foods for the elderly with difficulty swallowing, and 5) Foods for Specified Health Uses (FOSHU).

What is the minimum font size principally required for characters on Japanese food labels?

$8$-point.