Japan reviews pesticide limits and food additive controls

Japan’s food safety authorities reviewed proposed changes to pesticide residue limits during the 273rd meeting of the national Food Safety Group, continuing routine updates to regulatory requirements affecting imported food products.

According to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, the Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) discussed proposals to establish or revise maximum residue levels (MRLs) for several active substances used in crop protection. The pesticides reviewed included flutolanil, fluxapyroxad, isofetamid, tolfenpyrad, spirotetramat and bixafen, which are subject to adjustments under Japan’s food safety regulatory procedures.

The meeting also examined revisions to the use and specifications of certain food additives and related substances as part of the regular review process. Authorities noted that proposed regulatory changes will be notified to the World Trade Organization before final adoption, allowing exporting countries and industry stakeholders to assess potential compliance implications.

These periodic reviews are part of Japan’s standard regulatory system for maintaining food safety standards and ensuring that approved substances and residue limits reflect current scientific assessments and production practices.

Read the full report here.

source: fas.usda.gov

photo: my.emb-japan.go.jp