Japan to decide GE labeling requirements soon

The Consumer Affairs Agency’s expert committee is expected to conclude its review of Japan’s labeling requirements for genetically engineered foods at the end of March 2018. As a part of the ongoing review, informal discussions have begun on a possible stricter threshold for the use of voluntary “non-GE” labeling. However, some participating expert members have expressed concern that foreign grain and oilseed supplies could be disrupted by a new, stricter standard. The concept of tighter requirements for “non-GE” labeling is expected to be the focus of the next (and likely final) expert committee meeting.

General Information:

The Consumer Affairs Agency’s (CAA’s) Expert Committee for the review of genetically engineered
(GE) food labeling requirements in Japan has been discussing four major points over the past ten
months:

Issue 1: The Scope of Mandatory Labeling

• Point 1: Consideration of food items subject to mandatory labeling, and
• Point 2: Consideration of how prevalent the GE ingredient must be in a food product to be subject to mandatory labeling.

Issue 2: The Method of Labeling

• Point 3: Consideration of “Genetically Engineered” versus “GE non-segregated” labeling and whether or not they are easily and correctly understood by consumers, and
• Point 4: Consideration of the conditions for food to be labeled as “non-GMO.”

For more detailed information, please review the orginal report.