,"In a landmark move to promote healthier eating habits and improve consumer access to nutritional information, Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) has released a draft of the Japanese Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labeling Guidelines. This initiative is part of the broader national health strategy, Health Japan 21 (Third Term), launched in 2024 to foster sustainable and health-conscious food environments.
Why This Matters
Despite mandatory nutrition labeling being in place since 2015, a 2022 survey revealed that only 70% of consumers were aware of such labels, and nearly 40% of those did not use them regularly. The new guidelines aim to make nutritional data more visible and user-friendly, helping consumers make informed choices at a glance.
What the Guidelines Propose
The draft outlines a standardized format for displaying five key nutritional elements on the front of food packaging:
Energy (kcal)
Protein (g)
Fat (g)
Carbohydrates (g)
Salt equivalent (g)
Each nutrient will be shown per serving, along with its percentage contribution to the recommended daily intake based on Japan’s 2025 dietary standards for adults aged 18 and above. For example, the reference values are set at 2,200 kcal for energy, 85g for protein, 70g for fat, 320g for carbohydrates, and 7g for salt equivalent.
Design and Placement
The label must be placed on the main front-facing side of the package—typically where the product name is displayed. It should use uniform font sizes and colors to avoid misleading emphasis and must be clearly visible, even in retail settings where packaging may be partially obscured.
For vertically shaped containers like bottles, vertical labeling is permitted to enhance usability. The label must also include the serving size (e.g., “per 1 bottle” or “per 1 pack”) and the percentage of daily intake in a clear, standardized format.
Special Considerations
The guidelines also address foods where nutritional content changes upon preparation—such as tea leaves, instant noodles, or concentrated drinks. In such cases, labeling based on the consumed state is allowed, provided preparation instructions and ingredient quantities are clearly stated.
Certain products are excluded from the guideline’s scope, including:
Foods designed for children under 18
Medical dietary foods
Infant formula
Alcoholic beverages
Voluntary Adoption with Strategic Encouragement
Although the guideline is not legally binding, the CAA strongly encourages food manufacturers to adopt it. A 2024 survey found that only 16% of processed foods currently display nutrition information on the front of packaging. The agency views voluntary adoption as a critical step toward improving public health and reducing diet-related illnesses.
Looking Ahead
The CAA will monitor the implementation and consumer response to the guideline. If confusion arises—such as consumers mistaking voluntary labels for official health claims—the agency may consider integrating the guideline into formal food labeling standards or revising regulations accordingly.
This initiative reflects Japan’s commitment to empowering consumers with transparent, accessible nutritional information, supporting healthier lifestyles, and aligning with global best practices in food labeling."
Consumer News Region