FCM in Japan – Food Contact Materials Regulation

Starting from 1 June 2020, an amendment of the Japanese Food Sanitation Law is in force. It provides that only substances evaluated for safety and listed on the positive list published by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare are allowed to be used in food utensils, containers and packaging made of plastic. In addition to this, a Food Contact Material Safety Center was established within the Japan Chemical Innovation and Inspection Institute to supervise the enforcement of the new amendment and guarantee a smooth cooperation between the government and the private sector.

The amended regulation will be fully enforced starting from June 2025. During the transition period, food contact materials containing substances not on the Japanese positive list can continue to be placed on the Japanese market, if the composition of the material remains unchanged till May 31, 2025. Otherwise, only substances listed on the positive list can be used for the manufacturing of the plastic food contact material.

In addition to plastic food contact materials, Japan is planning future provisions for other materials in contact with food, such as paper, rubber, metal and glass.