6th Report of Market Access Ombudsman Council (March 16, 2000)

1-(11) Use of food additives permitted in other countries

1. Complainant: Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry

2. Ministry concerned: Ministry of Health and Welfare

3. Complaint:

When foods are imported from other countries, import is not allowed if the foods contain food additives other than those specified by the minister for health and welfare.
Imports of foods containing food additives whose safety has been ascertained in other countries should be allowed.

4. Corresponding Policy of the Ministries concerned:

Designation of new food additives is done according to policy on revising guidelines for specification and use of food additives (in notice No.29 from the director of the Environmental Health Bureau issued in March 1996). In accordance with this policy, a specific request for designation must be made and data on safety attached.
As is done in the United States and Europe, designation of food additives is carried out after scientific evaluation has been made. The fact that an additive's safety has been confirmed abroad means that scientific data which can be used for reference exists, and if an application is made and the relevant data attached, the matter will be dealt with appropriately after deliberation by the Food Sanitation Investigation Council.

5. Remarks
The complainant accepted this policy.