Food Safety and Food Labeling from the Viewpoint of the Consumers

• Published in: Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition Vol. 18; no. 4; pp. 532 - 537
• Main Authors: Watanabe, Shaw, Melby, Melissa, Aiba, Naomi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia HEC Press 01.01.2009
• Subjects: Animals; Antioxidants - administration & dosage; Consumer Behavior; Energy Intake; Food; Food - statistics & numerical data; Food Contamination - prevention & control; Food Labeling - legislation & jurisprudence; Food Labeling - standards; Food law and legislation; Food safety; Food service management; Food supply; Foodborne Diseases - prevention & control; Foodborne Diseases - psychology; Functional Food; Health promotion; Health Promotion - methods; Humans; Japan; Labeling; Nutrition Policy; Safety measures; Japan; food safety; 功能性營養學; food for specified use (FOSHU); food labelling; functional food factor (FFF); 食品安全; 食品標示; 功能性食品因子（FFF）; 特定保健食品（FOSHU）; functional nutriology
• ISSN: 0964-7058; 1440-6047
• DOI: 10.6133/apjcn.2009.18.4.11

Distrust of food safety has grown among the Japanese people after the occurrence of bovine spongiform encephalitis (BSE) in 2001. The Food Safety Commission was formed under the Cabinet Office and made a network among the ministries. The newly-established Consumer Agency may strengthen the quick response to emergencies. Shoku-iku (food and dietary education) Law is being implemented by the Cabinet Office with cooperation from relevant ministries and NGOs. Food Sanitation Law and Health Promotion Law are briefly explained, and the necessity of functional nutriology for non-nutrient biologically active substances is described. With regard to public health nutrition, a new food label showing energy balance and antioxidant unit (AOU) as a surrogate marker of fruit and vegetables has been developed for tailor-made nutrition which makes it easy to for individuals to control energy intake.