Report No.240307

NEWS

- Food Marketing and Distribution -

Country of Origin Labeling Now Obligation for 20 Groups of Processed Foods

Compulsory country of origin labeling started from October 2006 for 20 groups of processed foods, which are akin to fresh foods, such as dried mushrooms, green tea, Mochi [cake of steamed and pounded rice], seasoned meat etc. Non-compliance could be subject to penalty stipulated in the Law Concerning Standardization and Proper Labeling of Agricultural and Forestry Products (JAS Law).

Up to now, 8 different categories of processed foods such as Tsukemono [Japanese style pickles] and frozen cooked vegetables have been brought under compulsory labeling one after the other, over time. However, criticisms were abound to say it is hard to know if a particular food item is subject to labeling.

Items in the 20 groups at this time were selected based on criteria, i.e. 1) taste or quality differs greatly according to different place of origin; and 2) one kind of ingredient constitutes more than 50% of the components.

Processed food items other than those subjected to compulsory labeling at this time will be further studied by 'the Joint Council on Food Labeling of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.'

MAFF "would like to explore feasible ways of supplying information including voluntary labeling rather than limiting the option just to compulsory methods." (Labeling and Standards Division)

List of Processed Foods under Compulsory Country of Origin Labeling

Processed agriculture food products
Dried	Mushrooms, vegetables and fruits -- dried
Salted	Mushrooms, vegetables and fruits -- salted
Boiled / steamed	Mushrooms, vegetables and fruits - boiled / steamed; Bean jam
Mixed	Cut vegetables, cut fruits or otherwise mixed mushrooms, vegetables and fruits
Green tea	Green tea
Mochi	Mochi [cake of steamed and pounded rice]
Roasted pulses	Peanut in shell, shelled peanut and pulses -- roasted
Konnyaku	Konnyaku [jelly made from root of devil's tongue]
Processed food products from livesteock
Seasoned	Meat -- seasoned
Boiled / steamed	Meat, edible birds' eggs -- boiled / steamed
Surface roasted	Meat - surface roasted
Coated	Meat -- coated for frying materials
Mixed	Meat -- ground and otherwise mixed

Note:

Tsukemono [Japanese style pickled vegetables] and frozen cooked vegetables are already under compulsory labeling.

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