Japanese Food Sanitation Act
Eurofins Product Testing Japan is registered laboratory of Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) for testing Apparatus, Containers and Packaging, and Toys.
Those products manufactured outside of Japan should clear inspection when importing.
We support not only required tests for importing, but also general safety tests.
Evaluation of Apparatus, Containers and Packaging in Food Sanitation Act
Safety standards of Apparatus, Containers and Packaging separates into daily food use and general food use.
Especially, Containers and Packaging are required different test standards related to material types, and conditions of use (contacting foods temperature etc.) should be also clarified.
In particular, Containers and Packaging must meet different testing standards with regard to material types, and the conditions of use (temperature of contacting foods etc.) must also be clarified.
The following table shows terms of product categories set by Article 4 of Food Sanitation Act.
| Term(Product category) | Example | |
| Apparatus | as used in this Act shall mean tableware, kitchen utensils, and other machines, implements, and other articles which are used for collecting, producing, processing, cooking, storing, transporting, displaying, delivering, or consuming food or additives and which come into direct contact with food or additives; provided, however, that this term shall not include machines, implements, and other articles used for harvesting food in agriculture and fisheries. | Plates, bowls, glasses, forks, knives, chopsticks, ladles, spoons, pots, pans, etc. |
| containers and packaging | as used in this Act shall mean articles which contain or wrap food or additives and are offered "as is" when delivering food or additives. | Trays (plastic, styrofoam), bottles, cans, PET bottles, tubes, plastic wrap, film, etc. |
Evaluation of Toys in Food Sanitation Act
In Food Sanitation Act, toys defined as below are covered.
(1) Designated by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare as those likely to harm the health of infants when they touch such toys.
(2)”Infant” means less than 6 years old, which is not regulated by Food Sanitation Act but defined by other legislation.
(3) Determined by not only labeling of suitable ages on product package, but also its specification, design etc.
Below types of toys are regulated and should be confirmed if a product is classified.
| Type of toys | Example |
| Intended to, or possibly contact with mouth of infants | Pacifiers, straws (with balloons, for soap bubbles), blowing instruments, teethers etc. |
| Accessory toys, Decals, Masks, Origami papers, Rattles, Educational toys, Dolls, Clays, Vehicle toys, Balloons, Block toys, Balls, Plaything Tools etc. | - |
| Combination of above types | Accessories of dress-up dolls, rails of train toys etc. |
Positive List
By revision of the Act in June 1st 2020, materials and additives of Apparatus, Containers and Packaging made by synthetic resins are controlled by positive list.
Besides, those products made by synthetic resins should be constructed by monomers and additives registered in positive list. For not contacting sides, substances not listed in the list can be used but should control not to migrate 0.01 mg/kg, regulated by MHLW as being unlikely to harm human health.
Also, this rule is already come into force from June 1st 2020, but for products already sold manufactured, imported or used before that date are applied transaction period for 5 years by May 31st, 2025.
Current safety standards regulated by Notification No. 370 of Ministry of Health and Welfare (1956) are maintained.
Other information (*Japanese text only)
Japanese Food Sanitation Act: inquiry form
