Saftey Evaluation of Existing Additives
What is safety evaluation of existing additives in Japan?
Due to the amendment of the Food Sanitation Act in May 1995 (Heisei 7,
May (on the JP calendar)), the scope of designation system of food additives
has been expanded from chemically synthesized additives to all additives
except for natural flavors, etc. In accordance with this amendment, the
additives other than chemically synthesized products, which already have
been distributed, are allowed to continue to be marketed, manufactured,
imported and used under the list of existing additives as a transitional
measure. However, unlike already designated additives, these on the list
of existing additives have not been checked individually for safety, therefore,
confirmation of their safety is requested in the Diet, etc. In response
to this request, since FY 1996 (Heisei 8 (on the JP calendar)), the basic
safety of 489 existing additives has been reviewed based on the results
of international evaluation, the status of approval in Europe and the United
States, and the results of safety tests, etc. and these results were published.
These documents are the English translation of the research reports. In
the case of any discrepancy between the Japanese original and the English
translation, the former will take priority.