HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0344.003 2010-2012Ministry of.Health, Labour and Welfare: Food Produced by Recombinant DNA Techniques
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Food Safety Information
Foods Produced by Recombinant DNA Techniques
Ministry or Health, Labour, and Welfare, JAPAN
sears
9/20/11 10:46 AM
Japanese
Codex Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology
The Task Force was established under the Codex Alimentarius Commission to develop
intemational standards, guidelines, or other recommendations on foods derived from
biotechnology. Japan has been hosting the Task Force since 2000.
Procedure for Safety Assessment
The safety assessment of foods and food additives produced by recombinant DNA techniques
(hereafter GM foods) is mandatory under the Food Sanitation Law. The Ministry of Health,
Labour, and Welfare (MHLW) receives application, and the Food Safety Commission (FSC)
evaluates the safety of GM foods in terms of human health.
Lists of Products
- List of products that have undergone safety assessment and been announced in the Official
Gazette(PDF:280KB) Sep 6, 2011
- List of products that are being evaluated(PDF:131KB) Sep 6, 2011
Labeling System of Foods Produced by Recombinant DNA Technique
In April 2001, the labeling for GM foods became mandatory in Japan. The labeling system is run
by two ministries: the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and the MHLW. The
MAFF intends to provide consumers with information in choosing food under the Japanese
Agricultural Standards Law (JAS Law). The MHLW intends to publicize the fact that the product
has undergone the safety assessment. The labeling is part of the legal safety assessment
system under the Food Sanitation Law.
The labeling should be as follows:
(1)GM foods whose compositions or nutritional
conventional counterparts).
High oleic soybeans or oils made from them
(2)GM foods whose compositions or nutritional
values are significantly different from their
Mandatory Labeling "soybeans (high
oleic, genetically modified)" etc.
values are equivalent to their conventional
counterparts. Comm. No. 34+x• 3
Ref. To: 1!!
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: Food Produced by Recombinant DNA Techniques 9/20/11 10:54 AM
(i)Agricultural products and processed foods in which recombinant DNAs or the resulting
proteins still exist even after processing (such as Tofu)
a. GM agricultural products under the identity
preserved handling2 or processed foods made
form those
b. Agricultural products, not segregated GM
products and non -GM products, or processed
foods made from those the identity preserved
handling2 or processed foods made form those
c. non -GM agricultural products under the
identity preserved handling or processed foods
made from those
• Mandatory Labeling "GMO segregated
from non -GMO" , "GMO" etc.
Mandatory Labeling "Not segregated
from GMO" etc.
• Voluntary Labeling "Non -GMO
segregated from GMO" , "Non -GMO"
etc.
(ii)Processed foods such as edible oils or soy sauce in which recombinant DNAs or the resulting
proteins do not remain after processing
• Not subject to labeling
Note
1 (1) is a labeling provided only by the JAS Law ( "Standard") for providing consumers with
information for informed choices.
2 Identity preserved handling is a management method in which GM products and non -GM
products are not. commingled each other at each stage of production, distribution and processing
from farms to food manufacturers. It shall be verified by documents indicating that the
management has been conducted.
If the identified preserved handling is properly conducted, the adventitious presence of GMO is
accepted up to 5 %.
Monitoring Foods Produced by Recombinant DNA Technique
In order to prevent distribution of GM foods that have not been assessed in Japan, food products
are analyzed at quarantines. In the Japanese market, the food products are monitored for
appropriateness of their labels.
Codex Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology
The Task Force was established under the Codex Alimentarius Commission to develop
intemational standards, guidelines, or other recommendations on foods derived from
biotechnology. Japan has been hosting the Task Force since 2000.
Link for Other Relevant Web sites
http: / /www.mhlw.go.jp /english /topics /foodsafety /dna/
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