Tokyo Food Safety Information Center » Tokyo Metropolitan Government initiatives and systems » Tokyo Metropolitan Food Safety Ordinance ＞ Overview of regulations

Overview of regulations

1. Background and purpose of ordinance (Article 1)

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Food Safety Ordinance was established as an initiative to ensure food safety in Tokyo as concern and worry over food safety grew among Tokyo residents and within the context of the following necessities:

The need for the creation of systems based on the regional characteristics of Tokyo, an area which consumes large quantities of food
The need for the promotion of comprehensive public administration of food safety, from production to consumption
The need for cooperative initiatives between the metropolitan government, Tokyo residents, and businesses

The purpose of the Ordinance is to protect the health of current and future Tokyo residents by ensuring food safety.

2. Basic principles and duties and roles of relevant parties (Articles 3-6)

The Ordinance presents the following three basic principles.

Ensuring safety with the responsibilities of businesses serving as the foundation
Ensuring safety based on scientific expertise
Ensuring safety based on mutual understanding and cooperation between relevant parties

　Based on these basic principles, the regulations clearly present the obligations of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and businesses and the roles of Tokyo residents.

3. Basic measures for ensuring food safety (Articles 7-20)

The Ordinance establishes basic measures which should be taken by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in order to ensure food safety.

Initiatives for the comprehensive public administration of food safety
The creation of the Food Safety Promotion Plan
The promotion of investigations and research
The promotion of the collection, organization, analysis, and evaluation of information
The implementation of monitoring and guidance from the production to the sale of food, etc.
The promotion of the optimization of food labeling
The promotion of initiatives by businesses
The promotion of independent hygiene management
The facilitation of recording information, etc., from production to sale
Technical support for businesses
The promotion of mutual understanding and cooperation between the metropolitan government, Tokyo residents, and businesses
The promotion of the sharing of information and the exchange of opinions, etc.
The promotion of education and learning
The facilitation of information disclosure by businesses
The reflection of the opinions of Tokyo residents and businesses in measures

4. Prevention of adverse effects on health (Articles 21-25)

The Ordinance establishes distinct Tokyo systems based on the viewpoint of prevent adverse effects on health due to food.

Safety Investigation and Safety Measure Recommendation System
Implement necessary investigations based on the regulations concerning issues to which laws do not apply, such as those for which no standards have been established via the Food Sanitation Act.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will advise business on necessary measures to take and publicize their content in the event an investigation results in concerns over adverse effects on health and legal recourse is difficult.

5. Affiliated organizations (Articles 26-27)

Food Safety Conference
The conference is an affiliated organization of the governor’s office, comprised of the residents, businesses, and academic experts, deliberating on the strategies to ensure the food safety in Tokyo, such as the Food safety Promotion Plan.
Food Safety Information Evaluation Committee
The committee comprised of the residents and academic experts collects, analyzes, and assesses food safety information and reports to the governor.