Japan to ban 125 nutrients including glucosamine form

11-Jan-2010 - Last updated on 12-Jan-2010 at 09:09 GMT

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) has signaled its intention to blacklist 125 nutrients including forms of glucosamine, aloe vera and krill because it says they are not being used in products, according to the US Department of Agriculture Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS).

Others that appear on the list include isomaltodextranase, chitin, quercetin, mulberry bark extract, ginger extract and calcinated calcium and Eucalyptus leaf extract.

But it is believed the bans are not on the ingredients par se, just specific forms that have slipped out of usage. The USDA said the MHLW was requesting additional information from the companies concerned that may wish to continue using the ingredients.

If cuts are made Japan's approved list will shrink from 418 to 293 approved substances.

“The stated reason for the deletions is that the ministry believes these additives are not currently being used in foods sold in Japan,” USDA said.

The MHLW issued a January 8, 2010 deadline for companies to submit documentation demonstrating why the substances should not be banned.

"Once these additives have been deleted from the list, they will no longer be allowed for use in foods in Japan. Likewise, any imported foods found to contain a residue of these substances would not be allowed to be sold in Japan.”

The Japanese government has sought foreign embassy feedback on the use of these substances and another public consultation period will be held.

“At that time US food and/or food additive manufacturers with interest in these additives should send comments to MHLW with a statement asserting that the chemical in question is currently in use and contained in food products exported to Japan.”

The full list can be found here.