November 2004
■	New Labeling Standards for FOSHU and Nutrient Functional Foods Under Consideration
	On November 12, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare submitted a question to the Pharmaceutical/Food Sanitation Deliberation Council (P/FSDC) regarding the changes of labeling standards for FOSHU products and Nutrient Functional Foods. Based on the proposals made on June 9, 2004 on the future regulatory system for health foods in Japan, MHLW is considering the changes in their food labeling system as follows:
	FOSHU 1. "Conditional FOSHU product" for those products with limited data on health effects; and 2. Mandatory statement on the label to enlighten the importance of balanced diet.
	Nutrient Functional Foods 1. In order to make the definition of Nutrient Functional Foods clearer, add a new definition as the labeling is intended for those who consume Nutrient Functional Foods for the purpose of supplementing a specific nutrient component in diet; 2. Requirement to describe names of nutrient, e.g. "Nutrient Functional Food, Vitamin C"; 3. Mandatory statement on the label to enlighten the importance of balanced diet; and 4. Prohibition to make misleading statements on labels for the substances other than those nutrient components for which standards are set by Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare, as if such standards were also set by MHLW and their functional labeling is based on such standards.
	These proposed changes were reviewed and discussed at the joint meeting held on November 16 of Food Labeling Subcommittee and New Food Product Investigation Committee under P/FSDC, of which the outcome is not yet published.