Food Labeling Act — Labeling Obligations and Checks for Imported Food
Interlink編集部What is the Food Labeling Act?
The Food Labeling Act is a law that establishes the basic framework for food labeling.
Its purpose is to ensure the safety of food consumption and to enable consumers to voluntarily and reasonably select food products.
The law itself does not directly specify all the detailed requirements for individual label items. In practice, how to display the name, ingredients, additives, net content, date markings, storage instructions, place of origin, allergens, nutritional information, and so forth is specifically defined in the Food Labeling Standards based on the Food Labeling Act.
Therefore, in actual logistics practice, it is easier to understand "Food Labeling Act" as the basic law for the food labeling system, and the "Food Labeling Standards" as the specific rules for label creation and display confirmation.
Scope Covered in This Article
| Content Covered | Organization in This Article | Contents to Check in Separate Themes |
|---|---|---|
| Basics of the Food Labeling Act | This article organizes the purpose, positioning, and relation to Food Labeling Standards of the food labeling system. | Specific label item details should be reviewed in the article on Food Labeling Standards. |
| Overview of the Food Labeling System | This article organizes basic labeling, safety labeling, quality and origin labeling, nutritional labeling, functional foods, and advertising labeling. | Details of each labeling item such as nutritional labeling, allergen labeling, and raw material origin labeling should be checked separately. |
| Differences Between the Food Labeling Act and Food Labeling Standards | The Food Labeling Act as the law and the Food Labeling Standards as practical standards are separated and organized here. | Notices, Q&As, guidelines, and individual consultations should be referred to as needed. |
| Positioning Regarding Imported Foods | This article clarifies differences among customs documents, overseas labels, Japanese labeling, and sales labeling. | Imported food notifications, Food Sanitation Act, customs, and quarantine systems should be checked separately. |
| Relationship with Advertising and Sales Labeling | This article organizes differences between label display and EC pages, advertisements, SNS, and in-store POP expressions. | The Act against Unjustifiably Premiums and Misleading Representations, Health Promotion Act, and Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act should be referred to separately. |
| Situations Where Violations or Deficiencies Become Issues | This article organizes risks such as omitted labeling, false labeling, post-import label correction, cessation of sales, and product recalls. | Specific administrative responses, recall necessity, and dealing with business partners require individual confirmation. |
| Practical Operations for Forwarders and Importers | This article organizes logistics-side points of attention such as insufficient documentation, label affixing, and separating customs and sales labeling responsibilities. | The final judgment on labeling compliance should be confirmed by the importer, responsible for labeling, specialists, and competent authorities. |
Purpose and Background of the System
The Food Labeling Act is the fundamental law underpinning the food labeling system. Its purpose is to allow safe food consumption and to enable consumers to voluntarily and reasonably select food products.
Food labeling is not just product description. Allergens, expiration dates, storage methods, and heating instructions are closely related to consumer safety. Meanwhile, the name, ingredients, additives, net content, place of origin, and nutritional information serve as important information for consumers to compare and select products.
Under the Food Labeling Act, specific labeling items and display methods are prescribed in the Food Labeling Standards. Therefore, in practice, one confirms the overall positioning through the Food Labeling Act and checks the details of individual labeling items in the Food Labeling Standards.
Situations Where the Food Labeling Act Applies
| Situation | Items to Check | Common Issues | Practical Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| When selling food domestically | Processed foods, fresh foods, additives, imported foods | Selling without confirming required labeling items | Display confirmation based on the Food Labeling Standards is necessary. |
| When selling imported foods | Overseas labels, specifications sheets, ingredient lists, Japanese label drafts | Misunderstanding that just translating overseas labels is sufficient | Labels must be reconstructed to align with Japan’s food labeling system. |
| When allergens or expiration dates are involved | Specified raw materials, expiration date, best-before date, storage instructions, heating instructions | Omitted or incorrect labeling affecting safety | Strict confirmation is necessary as these relate to consumer health risks. |
| When displaying origin or ingredients | Country of origin, raw material origin, ingredient names, additives | Confusing customs origin with food labeling origin | Customs declaration documents and sales labeling should be checked separately. |
| When displaying health or functional claims | Nutritional functional foods, foods with functional claims, Foods for Specified Health Uses, health foods | Excessive health claims on general foods | Not only the Food Labeling Act but also the Health Promotion Act, Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act, and Act against Unjustifiably Premiums and Misleading Representations should be checked. |
| When selling via EC pages or advertisements | Product pages, ads, SNS, in-store POP, brochures | Discrepancies between label display and advertising content | Container/packaging labeling and advertising displays should be checked separately. |
| When affixing labels at warehouses or in distribution processing | Japanese label, items to affix, lot numbers, work instructions, records | Mixing responsibility for labeling decisions and label affixing work | Labeling judgment responsibility rests with the importer, while logistics handles affixing operations. |
Eligibility Criteria and Common Exclusions
| Category | Description | Points to Confirm | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Items Likely Subject to Application | Foods and additives sold by food-related businesses, etc. | Confirm food category, sales format, business operator, and whether it is sold to consumers. | Even imported foods require confirmation if sold domestically. |
| Specific Labels to Check Under Food Labeling Standards | Name, ingredient names, additives, net content, date labeling, storage methods, nutritional information, etc. | Confirm applicable foods, labeling items, labeling methods, and prohibited labeling. | The Food Labeling Act alone does not complete label details. |
| Safety-Related Labels | Allergens, expiration dates, storage methods, heating requirements, usage precautions, etc. | Check for potential health hazards, missing or incorrect labels. | Deficiencies in these items often lead to sales suspension or recalls. |
| Consumer Choice-Related Labels | Name, ingredients, additives, country of origin, net content, nutritional information, etc. | Ensure consumers will not be misled about product contents. | Be careful not to confuse customs documents with sales labels. |
| Items Not Easily Excluded | Samples, novelty items, commercial-use foods, event sales, EC-only sales, etc. | Confirm the actual condition of sales/provision, whether offered to consumers, and packaging form. | Do not judge exclusion based only on name or quantity. |
| Items Not Covered Solely by the Food Labeling Act | Health foods, alcoholic beverages, medicinal claims, functional foods with labeling, imported foods, etc. | Check relation to the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, Health Promotion Act, Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, Liquor Tax Act, and Food Sanitation Act. | Labels, advertisements, and import procedures should be checked separately. |
| Items Logistics Companies Should Not Judge | Legality of labeling, legality of advertising, food category, final responsibility for labeling. | Confirm with importers, sellers, responsible parties, and experts. | Freight forwarders should limit their role to awareness-raising and document organization. |
Relationship Between the Food Labeling Act and Food Labeling Standards
The Food Labeling Act and Food Labeling Standards are not the same. The Food Labeling Act is the basic legislation for the system, while the Food Labeling Standards are the specific labeling rules established based on that law.
| Category | Role | Practical Perspective | Situations to Confirm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food Labeling Act | A law defining the purpose of the labeling system, basic framework, administrative measures, and responses to violations. | Used as the entry point to understand the entire food labeling system. | To understand the overall system positioning and responsibilities. |
| Food Labeling Standards | Standards specifying what to label on foods, how to label, and prohibited labeling. | The main rules when creating or reviewing actual labels and packaging. | To check items such as name, ingredients, additives, expiry dates, and nutritional info. |
| Notices, Q&A, Guidelines | Supplementary materials for interpretation, operation, and practical examples of Food Labeling Standards. | Refer when uncertain or when conducting practical processing. | In cases requiring confirmation of specific examples, exceptions, or operational matters. |
Objectives of the Food Labeling Act
| Objective | Relevant Labeling | Practical Significance | Common Issues |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ensuring Safety When Consuming Food | Allergen labeling, expiration date, storage methods, heating requirements, usage precautions, etc. | Labels aimed at preventing consumer health damage. | Missing allergens, incorrect expiration dates, insufficient storage instructions. |
| Ensuring Consumers Can Make Voluntary and Rational Food Choices | Name, ingredient names, additives, raw material origin names, country of origin, net content, nutritional information, etc. | Labels allowing consumers to understand, compare, and select products. | Incorrect ingredient labeling, mistaken origin labeling, erroneous nutritional information. |
Overall Structure of the Food Labeling System
| Category | Main Contents | Main Verification Systems & Articles | Practical Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Display | Name, raw material names, additives, net content, expiry date indication, storage method, manufacturer/importer, etc. | Food Labeling Standards | This is the core item for label creation. |
| Safety-related Display | Allergens, expiration date, storage method, necessity of heating, etc. | Allergen labeling, best-before and expiration dates | Confirmed especially strictly, as this relates to health hazards. |
| Quality and Origin-related Display | Raw material origin name, country of origin, origin of fresh produce, etc. | Raw material origin labeling, origin labeling, and customs documents | Be careful not to confuse country of origin on customs documents with food labeling origin. |
| Nutrition-related Display | Calories, protein, fat, carbohydrates, equivalent salt amount, etc. | Nutrition facts labeling | For imported foods, align overseas Nutrition Facts with Japanese standards. |
| Health Functional Foods | Nutrition functional foods, foods with functional claims, specified health foods, etc. | Foods with functional claims, specified health foods, nutrition functional foods | Separate confirmation of notification, approval, standard compliance, and advertising expressions. |
| Advertising and Sales Expressions | Misleading excellence claims, health effect appeals, e-commerce pages, SNS, advertising expressions, etc. | Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, Health Promotion Act, Misleading Excellence Claims | Even if the label is proper, exaggerated advertising can become problematic. |
Relationship Among Processed Foods, Fresh Foods, Additives, and Health Functional Foods
The Food Labeling Standards broadly organize labeling targets into three categories: processed foods, fresh foods, and additives.
Meanwhile, in actual logistics practice, the term “health functional foods” is often used. Health functional foods is a collective term for foods related to health and nutrition functional labeling systems, such as nutrition functional foods, foods with functional claims, and specified health foods.
Therefore, health functional foods are not a simple fourth category alongside processed foods, fresh foods, and additives. The practical workflow is to first confirm the basic food category, then check whether functional health or nutrition labeling applies.
| Classification Axis | Contents | How to Check | Points of Caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Food Classification | Processed foods, fresh foods, additives | Confirm which labeling items are required under Food Labeling Standards. | Check basic displays such as name, ingredients, additives, expiry, and storage method. |
| Classification Under Functional Labeling Systems | Nutrition functional foods, foods with functional claims, specified health foods, etc. | Check if a system allowing health or nutrition-related labeling applies, if notification, approval, or supporting documents are required. | In addition to basic displays, confirm requirements for each system. |
Comparison Table with Other Systems
| System | Main Purpose | Main Verification Targets | Differences from Food Labeling Law | Practical Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food Labeling Law | The fundamental law establishing the basic framework of the food labeling system. | Entire food labeling system, safety assurance, labeling for consumer choice | The basic law serving as the gateway to the entire system. | Check concrete label items under Food Labeling Standards. |
| Food Labeling Standards | Standards defining the necessary labeling items, methods, and prohibitions. | Name, ingredients, additives, expiration, storage method, nutritional components, etc. | Concrete practical standards based on the Food Labeling Law. | Core reference for label creation. |
| Food Sanitation Law | System ensuring food safety, import notification, standards, and hygiene management. | Imported food notification, quarantine inspections, food additives, utensils, containers, and packaging | Focuses on food safety and import checks, not labeling per se. | Passing import inspections does not guarantee that sales labeling is lawful. |
| Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations | System preventing misleading false indications to consumers. | Advertising, e-commerce pages, sales labeling, quality claims, price indications | Checks misleading expressions not only on labels but also in advertising. | Even if labels are proper, exaggerated advertising may cause issues. |
| Health Promotion Act | System preventing false or exaggerated claims about health maintenance or promotion effects. | Health foods, supplements, advertisements touting health effects | Focus is more on health effect claims than on food labeling. | Careful with advertising expressions that imply health effects. |
| Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act | System controlling drug efficacy claims and pharmaceutical product scope. | Treatment/prevention of diseases, strong effects on body functions, pharmaceutical advertising | Making pharmaceutical-like claims on foods can cause problems. | Check especially for health foods and supplements. |
| Liquor Tax Act and Liquor Labeling | System related to liquor taxation, labeling, and sales management. | Liquor types, alcohol content, labeling, sales conditions, etc. | Food Labeling Law alone may not cover liquor-specific labeling requirements. | Check relevant information related to the National Tax Agency for liquors. |
Position of the Food Labeling Law for Imported Foods
For imported foods, labels, specifications, ingredient lists, invoices, packing lists, etc. from overseas manufacturers are checked. However, these materials cannot necessarily be used directly as labeling for the Japanese domestic market.
The documents required for import procedures and the food labeling required for domestic sales serve different purposes. Even if customs clearance has been completed, the labeling for sales within Japan may not necessarily comply with the Food Labeling Act or the Food Labeling Standards.
Therefore, for imported foods, it is necessary to verify whether the product falls under processed foods, fresh foods, or additives, and whether the required ingredient information, additive information, and allergen information are properly included in the Japanese label. You should also check that the country of origin, ingredient origin, and customs origin are not confused.
Relationship with Advertising and Sales Labeling
The Food Labeling Act primarily pertains to labeling on food containers, packaging, and labels. However, in food sales, consumer decisions are influenced not only by label information but also by advertising, EC pages, brochures, in-store POP displays, and social media posts.
Accordingly, advertising and sales labeling must comply not only with the Food Labeling Act but also with the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations (Premiums and Representations Act) and the Health Promotion Act.
| Situation | Main Applicable Laws | Points of Attention | Practical Measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Container Packaging / Label | Food Labeling Act, Food Labeling Standards | Check required labeling items, methods of display, and prohibited expressions. | Verify Japanese label drafts and label proofs. |
| Product Page / Advertisement / Flyer | Premiums and Representations Act, Health Promotion Act, etc. | Be cautious of misleading representations, unsupported health claims, and exaggerated expressions. | Review advertising text and supporting evidence. |
| Emphasized Claims on Packaging | Food Labeling Act, Premiums and Representations Act, Health Promotion Act, etc. | Even if it is on the label, if it includes advertising claims, other laws should be checked. | Check the collective label and the catchphrases separately. |
System Application Flow
- Identify whether the target product is classified as food, additive, processed food, fresh food, or commercial-use food.
- Confirm whether the product is intended for sale to general consumers in Japan, for commercial use, or as a sample/novelty.
- Ascertain if the product is subject to the labeling system under the Food Labeling Act.
- According to the Food Labeling Standards, verify the required labeling items, display methods, and prohibited expressions.
- Check basic labeling such as product name, ingredient names, additives, content volume, date labeling, storage instructions, and manufacturer/importer name.
- Confirm individual labeling items including allergens, ingredient origin, nutrition facts, best-before or expiration dates, etc.
- If making health or functionality claims, verify relationship with functional foods, specified health foods, and nutritional function foods.
- For imported foods, confirm consistency among overseas labels, product specifications, ingredient lists, customs documents, and the Japanese label draft.
- Check the expressions in advertising, EC pages, social media, and promotional material concerning the Premiums and Representations Act, Health Promotion Act, and Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act.
- If issues arise, revise labeling, add documentation, conduct specialist checks, or review label application instructions before sales commence.
Common Practical Issues
| Case | Issue | Items to Confirm | Practical Measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trying to create labels based only on the Food Labeling Act | Specific labeling items and methods need to be confirmed via the Food Labeling Standards. | Food Labeling Standards, notifications, Q&As, guidelines | Separate checks for the Food Labeling Act and Food Labeling Standards are conducted. |
| Translating an overseas label and selling it as is | May not comply with Japan’s labeling items, order, additives, and allergen requirements. | Overseas label, specifications, formulation sheets, ingredient lists, allergen information | Reconstruct labeling for Japan-specific requirements. |
| Labeling issues discovered after customs clearance | Customs clearance and domestic sales labeling serve different purposes. | Import declaration, food notification, Japanese label, sales labeling | Confirm labeling during import planning stage. |
| Omission of allergen information | A serious labeling deficiency that could lead to consumer health damage. | Ingredients, manufacturing process, contamination risks, specific allergenic ingredients | Correct labeling before sale; if necessary, suspend shipment. |
| Confusing country of origin labeling with customs origin | The country of origin for customs/tariff/EPA and the country of origin or ingredient origin on food labels have different purposes. | Manufacture country, export country, ingredient origin, customs documents, label proposals | Separate checks for customs documents and sales labeling. |
| Overstated claims in health food advertisements | Not only the Food Labeling Act but also Health Promotion Act, Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act, and Premiums and Representations Act are relevant. | Advertising text, EC pages, SNS, efficacy claims, supporting evidence | Separate review of label claims and advertising expressions. |
| Unclear responsibility for labeling when applying labels | Responsibility for the logistics company's labeling work and the importer’s judgment about labeling become confused. | Label proofs, application instructions, target lots, work records, responsibility scopes | Divide responsibilities between labeling judgment and application work. |
| Discrepancies found between advertising and labels after sales start | Labels may be appropriate, but advertising could mislead consumers. | Product labels, EC pages, advertisements, SNS, in-store POP | Review labeling content across media platforms. |
Practical Scenario 1: Japanese Label Deficiency Found after Customs Clearance for Imported Foods
For imported foods, Japanese label deficiencies may be found after customs clearance. For example, omissions in allergen labeling, ingredient names not listed in accordance with Japan’s standard order, inappropriate additive labeling, or unclear importer names.
Customs clearance being completed does not mean that the food labeling for domestic sales is appropriate. Customs procedures and checking sales labeling based on the Food Labeling Act and Food Labeling Standards are different practical tasks with different objectives.
In such cases, it may be necessary to stop sales, correct or reapply labels, check inventory, confirm shipped products, and provide explanations to business partners. For imported food products, it is important to create a Japanese labeling draft at the import planning stage and verify it before sales, rather than after customs clearance.
Practical Scenario 2: When Health Food Advertising Exceeds the Scope of Food Labeling
When selling health foods or supplements, the label may show them as general food products, but expressions like “prevents illness,” “improves conditions just by taking,” or “replaces medicine” might be used on EC sites or social media.
In such cases, issues may extend beyond the Food Labeling Act to include the Health Promotion Act, Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, and Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations. Even if the product is sold as food, if advertising expressions approach pharmaceutical claims or false/exaggerated representations, confirmation under other regulatory schemes becomes necessary.
In practice, product labels, EC pages, advertisement images, social media posts, videos, and in-store POP are reviewed side-by-side. It is important to separate confirmation of food labeling system compliance from confirmation of advertising and sales expressions.
Practical Scenario 3: Applying Japanese Labels at Warehouses
For imported food products, Japanese labels may be applied at bonded warehouses, domestic warehouses, or distribution processing centers. In such cases, warehouses or freight forwarders may be responsible for the labeling work but are not in a position to make final judgments on the legality of the label content.
Common issues arise when the label drafts created by importers, the lots subject to labeling, label placement, best-before dates, importer names, and related products do not match. If on-site decisions and corrections are made during operations, this could lead to mislabeling or confusion over responsibility.
In practice, label drafts, labeling instructions, target products, lots, expiration dates, work records, and final verifiers are clearly defined. It is important to clarify the division of roles where the importer side is responsible for labeling decisions, and the logistics side handles the actual labeling work.
4-Column Decision Checklist
| Check Point | Party to Confirm With | Items to Confirm | Actions if Problems Are Found |
|---|---|---|---|
| At Import Planning | Importer, Seller, Overseas Manufacturer | Food category, sales format, general or commercial use, domestic sales presence | Clarify whether the product falls under the food labeling system. |
| When Confirming Overall Labeling System | Importer, Labeling Responsible, Expert | Food Labeling Act, Food Labeling Standards, related individual labeling systems | Check not only the Food Labeling Act but also the Food Labeling Standards. |
| When Obtaining Overseas Manufacturer Materials | Overseas Manufacturer, Importer, Quality Control | Overseas labels, specifications, formulation charts, ingredient tables, manufacturing processes, allergen information | Acquire missing documents before shipment. |
| When Creating Japanese Label Draft | Importer, Labeling Responsible, Expert | Name, ingredients, additives, expiration date, storage method, importer name, nutritional content | Create according to Japanese standards, not a direct translation of overseas labels. |
| When Confirming Safety-Related Labeling | Importer, Quality Control, Overseas Manufacturer | Allergens, consumption expiration date, storage method, heating requirements, usage precautions | If deficiencies are found, correct before starting sales. |
| When Creating Advertising and EC Pages | Sales Team, Advertising Team, Importer, Expert | Health claims, additive-free, natural, No.1 ranking, functionality, relation with Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations and Health Promotion Act | Confirm label display and advertising display separately. |
| When Applying Labels | Importer, Warehouse, Freight Forwarder, Distribution Processor | Label drafts, targets for labeling, label position, lot, expiration date, work records | Separate responsibilities for labeling judgments and work execution. |
| Final Confirmation Before Sales Launch | Importer, Labeling Responsible, Sales Team, Quality Control, Expert | Consistency of labels, EC pages, advertisements, social media, in-store POP, sales documents | If there are inconsistencies, correct before sales launch. |
Common Misunderstandings
| Misunderstanding | Correct Understanding | Practical Notes |
|---|---|---|
| You can create labels by simply looking at the Food Labeling Act | The Food Labeling Act is the basic law of the system, and detailed labeling requirements are confirmed in the Food Labeling Standards. | Also check the Food Labeling Standards, notifications, Q&A, and guidelines. |
| The articles on the Food Labeling Standards and the Food Labeling Act are the same | The Food Labeling Act is the entry point to the overall system, while the Food Labeling Standards provide specific labeling rules. | Separate understanding of the system and actual label creation tasks. |
| Once customs clearance is done, labeling is also fine | Customs clearance procedures and confirming food labeling for domestic sales are separate issues. | Check import declaration information separately from consumer-facing label details. |
| Advertising expressions are unrelated to the Food Labeling Act | Expressions in advertising and e-commerce pages may be subject to the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations or the Health Promotion Act. | Confirm labeling and advertising expressions separately. |
| Translating an overseas label makes it suitable for Japan | Overseas labels need to be restructured to comply with Japanese Food Labeling Standards. | Check ingredients, additives, allergens, expiry dates, and origin according to Japanese standards. |
| Health claims verification is unnecessary for general foods | Even general foods can encounter issues under other regulations if health effects are strongly advertised. | Confirm relationship with the Health Promotion Act, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act, and Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations. |
| If a logistics company affixes the label, it also guarantees the labeling content | Label affixing work and judgments on the lawfulness of labeling content are separate matters. | Distinguish between the importer's labeling decisions and the logistics provider’s operational responsibilities. |
Practical Points
The Food Labeling Act serves as the entry point before confirming individual labeling items. Understanding the overall position of the system first, then proceeding to the Food Labeling Standards and specialized articles, helps prevent omissions in checks.
For imported food, overseas sales labels, specifications, ingredient lists, and customs documents cannot be used as-is for domestic sales labeling. When selling in Japan, the labeling should be confirmed in Japanese based on the Food Labeling Act and Food Labeling Standards.
Since customs clearance, warehousing, sales, and advertising are typically handled by different parties, separate judgments can lead to omissions or incorrect labeling. It is important from the import planning stage to confirm food categories, required label items, advertising expressions, and label affixing work as a whole.
Importance of Record Keeping
In responding to the Food Labeling Act, it is important to record the basis for any labeling decisions. For imported foods, organizing overseas labels, specifications, ingredient and formulation data, allergen information, origin documents, expiry date justifications, Japanese label drafts, and advertising confirmation records is necessary.
Documents to keep include overseas manufacturer information, Japanese label drafts, confirmation records based on Food Labeling Standards, expert review records, e-commerce page drafts, advertising manuscripts, label affixing instructions, work logs, revision histories, and pre-sale confirmation records.
Having these records makes it easier to explain the basis for label content, the history of corrections, and checks before sale. Conversely, lacking records may make explanation difficult later even if the label content actually reflects reality.
Summary
The Food Labeling Act is the foundational law of the food labeling system. It provides the basis for safely consuming food and enabling consumers to properly choose products.
However, what and how to display on labels and packaging is specifically confirmed by the Food Labeling Standards, corresponding notifications, Q&A, and guidelines.
This article treats the Food Labeling Act as the "entry point to the overall system," emphasizing that specific labeling items should be verified in the Food Labeling Standards and specialized articles on nutrition labeling, ingredient origin labeling, allergen labeling, functional foods, specified health use foods, and the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations.
