Japan Announces New Food Labelling Law March

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) has announced new food labeling guidelines which will come into force March 2015. The new guidelines require importers to declare the effects of ingredients on specific areas of human body, for instance like "(this food) supports liver function", the national trade promotion agency said in a statement Wednesday. Importers have to notify the Japan Consumer Affairs Agency of their newly labeled product and publish research method and its results on the agency's website for customers to easily access detailed information on a particular food product. Director, Matrade Japan, Kua Kiat Chye said the new guidelines would help win the acceptance of Japanese health conscious consumers and it was crucial for Malaysia's food and beverage manufacturers and exporters to comply. "As all food products being sold in Japan are required to be labeled in the Japanese language, Malaysian exporters of food and beverages are also advised to have their products labeled in the Japanese language", he added. Japan's health food market is worth US$18.40 billion (RM58 billion) and last year the country imported health food products valued at US$14.90 billion (RM47 million) from Malaysia. "This will lead to increasing demand for health food and beverage products in Japan that offers greater opportunity for Malaysian companies," Matrade added. --BERNAMA