Japan · Food Contact

Japan Food Sanitation Act Compliance

A practical guide to Japan Food Sanitation Act Compliance for food contact sold in Japan: who it applies to, what to prepare, and the mistakes that cause rejection.

Who needs it

Food contact utensils, containers, and packaging sold in Japan; Importers of kitchenware and packaging

Authority

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW)

Legal basis

Food Sanitation Act

Local representative

The Japanese importer is responsible for compliance

Timeline

Before import; inspection may occur at the border

Cost

Testing fees vary by material and use condition

If you do not comply

Import refusal and sales prohibition

Who needs this

Food contact utensils, containers, and packaging sold in Japan
Importers of kitchenware and packaging

Documents you need

Material and additive compliance documentation
Migration and elution test results
Manufacturing records

Compliance checklist

Tick each item as you collect it. Saved in this browser only.

Material and additive compliance documentation
Migration and elution test results
Manufacturing records

How to comply

Check the positive list for synthetic resins
Test migration and elution
Prepare Japanese documentation
Keep records for import inspection

Brief for your lab or agent

Copy this into an email, then edit the product and channel.

Request: Japan Food Sanitation Act Compliance — Japan
Product category: Food Contact
Authority: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW)
Legal basis: Food Sanitation Act

Documents we already have:
  1. Material and additive compliance documentation
  2. Migration and elution test results
  3. Manufacturing records

Questions:
  1. Does our product fall under Japan Food Sanitation Act Compliance in Japan?
  2. Which test standards or evidence do you accept?
  3. What is the current fee and lead time?
  4. Is a local representative required, and can you act as one?

Cost and timeline

Before import; inspection may occur at the border.

Testing fees vary by material and use condition.

Common rejection reasons

Substance not on the positive list
Migration test missing
Documentation not in Japanese

Registration, notification, or certification is not the same as approval. Keep the technical file current and make sure the label, listing, and submitted data match.