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Recall Information Notification System for Food and Other Products
Overview of Recall Information Notification System for Food and Other Products
The Food Sanitation Act and the Food Labeling Act were revised in 2018 making it mandatory to report recall information to the government when a company becomes involved in voluntary recall of food products as of June 1, 2021 in accordance with the Food Sanitation Act and the Food Labeling Act.
The revisions are intended to prevent food consumption of targeted foods by providing recall information to consumers promptly in a unified manner, and prevent health hazards before they occur by preventing violations of the Food Sanitation Act and the Food Labeling Act through data analysis and improvement guidance provided by government agencies.
You can check submitted recall information at The food business application system for licenses, export certificates and report of food recalls（https://ifas.mhlw.go.jp/faspub/）
When a business operators reports a recall event and the collecting status, use the Food, Etc., Voluntary Recall Information Management Function (https://ifas.mhlw.go.jp/faspte/page/login.jsp) of the food business application system for licenses, export certificates and report of food recalls.Notification Target
Examples of cases subject to notification are as follows:
Any violation or risk of violation of the Food Sanitation Act
(Examples)- Food that is not heated, such as raw vegetables or natural cheeses contaminated with enterohemorrhagic E. coli
- Food that has decomposed or deteriorated due to poor sealing, etc.
- Food containing hard foreign material (glass fragments, plastic, etc.)
- Foods that do not conform to ingredient standards, such as general bacterial population or the coliform group
- Food that violates the standard for use of additives
Violation of the Food Labeling Act
(Examples)- Food that uses wheat flour but does not have a label warning about possible allergic reaction to wheat
- Food products that show an expiration date that exceeds the expected expiration date for consumption
- Food that displays a storage temperature higher that exceeds its intended temperature
- Food that uses aspartame but does not have a label warning that it “contains L-Biphenylalanine Compound”
Notification Not Applicable
Food Sanitation Act
(The article number and the article shall be as of the date of the third enforcement [June 1, 2021])- When recall is conducted upon order pursuant to the provision of Article 59, Paragraph 1 or Paragraph 2 of the Food Sanitation Act
- When specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and Cabinet Office Ordinance (ordinance established if there is no risk of harmful effect on health due to food sanitation stipulated in Article 58, Paragraph 1 of the Food Sanitation Act [No. 11, 2019 Cabinet Office Ordinance and during Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare]).
- When it is clear that the food, etc. in question was not sold to a large number of unidentified people and can be easily recalled
- When it is clear that the consumer does not offer such food for consumption
Food Labeling Act
- When recall is conducted upon order pursuant to the provisions of Article 6, Paragraph 8 or Paragraph 2 of the Food Labeling Act
- When other parties to the sale of food as prescribed in Article 10-2, Paragraph 1 of the Food Labeling Act (including consumers) can be identified and the food-related business that has sold the product in question immediately contacts the other party of the sale to confirm that the food was not consumed said product and/or is not at risk of consuming said product
Flow of Notification
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Begins to voluntarily recall food products for which violations of the Food Sanitation Act or the possibility of such violations or the Food Labeling Act relating to the safety of allergens have been detected | |||
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↓ | Notification | ・Fill in the food business application system for licenses, export certificates and report of food recalls (https://ifas.mhlw.go.jp/faspub/) and submit notification. ・If you have any questions, please contact your local health center. For inquiries, please contact.Health Center (Japanese), Market Sanitation Inspection Center, Shibaura Meat Sanitation Inspection Center, Health and Safety Research Center. |
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Classifies cases according to harmful effects on health | |||
| ↓ | Report | |||
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Centralized management of recall information | |||
| ↓ | Public announcement | |||
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The Food business application system for licenses, export certificates and report of food recalls (https://ifas.mhlw.go.jp/faspub/) provides information on the product name, reason for recall, and possible harmful effects on health of foods that are voluntarily recalled. | |||
Abolition of the voluntary recall report system based on the Food Safety Ordinance.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has implemented a voluntary recall report system based on the Food Safety Ordinance (2004, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Ordinance No. 67), and since November 1, 2004, has provided the city residents with voluntary recall information in order to prevent the adverse effects of food on health in an accurate and timely manner.In conjunction with enforcement of the recall information notification system based on the law beginning June 1, 2021, the voluntary recall report system based on the Food Safety Ordinance will be abolished and will be unified into the national system.
For residents of Tokyo
Beginning June 1, 2021, the system will enable confirmation of information on voluntary recall of food and food products conducted by business operators based on the revised Food Sanitation Act and the revised Food Labeling Act to prevent consumers from harmful effects on health from relevant food products.Up to now, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has been operating the voluntary recall report system in accordance with the Food Safety Ordinance. However, because the system will be unified to the national recall system, the voluntary recall report system based on the ordinance will be terminated as of June 1, 2021.
- What sort of information can I check?
- You can conform product name, reason for recall, and possible harmful effects on health of foods that are voluntarily recalled.
- Where can I find it?
- You can check online at The Food business application system for licenses, export certificates and report of food recalls.
(Reference)
Leaflet for Recall Information Notification System for Consumers (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Website)