食品ポジティブリスト - Japan updates food contact materials positive list

In late 2023, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) published a revised version of its positive list of substances for use in food contact materials (FCMs) available in both Japanese and English.

The positive list is divided into three documents: polymers, additives, and essential monomers each with relevant details including chemical name in Japanese and English, CAS registry numbers, and use requirements. The updated list and any changes in requirements will go into effect on June 1, 2025.

According to reporting from Enhesa, MHLW plans to publish an FAQ on the website in the future.

On January 24, 2024, the Japanese Joint Article Management Promotion-consortium (JAMP), an industry consortium to facilitate transfer of chemical information through the supply chain, published the third edition of a discussion paper on the management of chemical substances in products compatible with the circular economy. The discussion paper covers all articles, not only those in food contact, but does have sections with guidelines concerning the recycling of articles made of plastic, metal, and paper, as well as for reusable materials.

from The Food Packaging Forum