Japan’s new food labeling law will formally take effect since April 1. According to requirements, a transition period will be set for the new law implementation: The transitional period of processed food and additive is 5 years and that of fresh food is 1 year and a half.

In accordance with relevant provisions of Japan’s new food labeling act, the food, additive, appliance or container packaging with the labeling standards must be in accordance with the standard label; otherwise they may not be sold, displayed for the purpose of sales or used in business. It is worth noting that, the new labeling law changes the food nutrition labeling to compulsory from voluntary, and the nutrients to be labeled include energy, protein, fat, carbohydrates and sodium, and sodium shall be labeled with equivalent salt.