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Whats we are

Shokukanken is a full-service food testing and analysis laboratory operating in Japan.

Food safety testing and analysis
Food safety consultation
Determining which test program is best for your product

Our diverse testing services include microbiological analysis, foreign matter testing, agricultural chemical residue analysis, radioactivity testing, storage stability studies, and other analysis related to food. We also offer professional consulting services to determine which tests are right for your product to ensure that your testing program is in full compliance with the current Japanese regulations. We will design the best testing regimen customized to your needs in achieving the goals you have set for your business in Japan, such as food export and new store establishment. Contact us now.

News list

Microbiological analysis
Agricultural chemical residue analysis
Radioactive contamination testing
Nutritional analysis
Storage stability studies to establish shelf lives
Fecal analysis
Residue and odor analysis
Geographical origin identification

Certifications & Accreditations

Veterinary Pharmaceuticals and Related Areas

Animal drug GLP certification (MAFF)
Feed additive GLP certification (MAFF)
Animal drug GCP certification (MAFF)
Approved academic research organization compliant with the Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Disease Control (MAFF)
Authorized to handle live pathogenic organisms of communicable diseases subject to regulatory control (MAFF)
Registered animal drug manufacturer and GMP facility (packaging, labeling, and classified storage)
Verified to have control measures in place against dissemination of GMOs for Type 2 usage
Accredited laboratory animal care facility compliant with animal welfare standards
Licensed to receive imported hatching eggs (AQS)

Analytical and Related Areas

ISO/IEC 17025
Registered clinical laboratory
Official measurement certification provider
Examination organization of the voluntary food hygiene control certification program
JGAP-approved agricultural chemical residue laboratory

Tests and standards in Japan

What kind of tests should be performed if I want to export food products to Japan?

We recommend performing tests defined in Japanese specifications and standards for each food group.
→See　Q
What is required for nutrition labeling in Japan? →See　Q
I'd like to know the standards for each food item.

In addition, data to determine the best before date will also be required (microbiological, physicochemical, and sensory tests).

In many cases, foods imported into Japan are controlled by importers based on their own standards.

However, as needed, inspections will be carried out at the time of customs clearance as ordered by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare [chemical residues (agricultural chemicals, etc.), microorganisms, heavy metals, food additives, mycotoxins, etc.].

What is required for nutrition labeling in Japan?

Under the Food Labeling Act, all processed foods and additives pre-packaged for consumers (excluding processed foods for commercial use) must be labeled with nutrition facts.

The items include calories (energy), proteins, fat, carbohydrates, and sodium chloride amount (only foods with no added sodium salts can be optionally labeled together with the amount of sodium).

Although the labeling of nutrition facts on perishable foods is optional, if they are to be labeled, they must be in accordance with the new standard.

Information on the Food Labeling Act
→Consumer Affairs Agency
http://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/law/detail/?id=2601&vm=04&re=01

I'd like to know what Japan's positive list system for agricultural chemical residues is like.

This system establishes residue standards for agricultural chemicals, feed additives and veterinary drugs, and prohibits the distribution of food products with such residues in excess of a certain amount.

The Food Sanitation Act stipulates that "Agricultural chemicals or other residues shall not remain in food in excess of the amount specified by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare (uniform limit: 0.01 ppm = concentration of one in a hundred million).

However, this does not apply if a separate food standard (residue standard) is established.”

There are three standard values: (1) the "residue standards" that have existed from the time before the implementation of the positive list system, (2) the "provisional standards" that were set with the implementation of the positive list system, and (3) the “uniform limit: 0.01 ppm.” Of these, the "residue standards" and "provisional standards" have separate standard values for each food item, while the "uniform limit" do not.

*Even though Japanese laws do not mandate tests, there are many cases in transactions where results of regular tests are required to show that your products meet the standards.

Learn more about the positive list system
→Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/shokuhin/zanryu/index_00016.html

Search the positive list
→The Japan Food Chemical Research Foundation
http://www.m5.ws001.squarestart.ne.jp/foundation/note_en.html

I would like to see a list of data on the foods exported to Japan, such as violation rates at the quarantine station.

Please check the page of “Imported Food Safety ”
→Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/shokuhin/yunyu_kanshi/index_00017.html

I'd like to know the standards for each food item.

The Food Sanitation Act stipulates specifications and standards for each type of food. Please check the detail from the link below
→JETRO
https://www.jetro.go.jp/ext_images/en/reports/regulations/pdf/foodext2010e.pdf

How are the food safety standards determined in Japan?

Please check the page of “Imported Food Safety”
→Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/shokuhin/yunyu_kanshi/index_00017.html

Please check a leaflet of “Measures to Ensure Food Safety”
→Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000535178.pdf

Current situation of food hygiene in Japan

How do Japanese consumers think about food hygiene?

In recent years, more and more foods are packaged, and people are trusting these food products more than ever before.

On the other hand, people may have a huge reaction to anomalies being discovered, which often are spread to the public, especially because of the accelerated communication via SNS. Therefore, if there is a serious accident with a product, the impact on sales can be significant.

The Japanese public generally perceives imported products as having the same or better manufacturing controls than domestic products, but they tend to be more suspicious of foods from regions that repeatedly experienced violations.

I'd like to know the trends in foreign food products in Japan.

Please check a leaflet of “Information about Imported Foods”
→Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000535179.pdf

What are the most common food accidents in Japan?

There are many cases of food poisoning in perishables. The risk of microbial spoilage of perishable foods is particularly high in Japan, because the humidity is higher than in the Western countries throughout the year.

There are also many cases of complaints due to foreign matter contamination and abnormal quality.

In comparison, there are fewer accidents related to drinking water.

What are the most common food complaints in Japan?

Looking at the changes over the past five years in Tokyo, the most populous city in Japan, the most common complaint, apart from food poisoning cases, is foreign matter contamination, followed by handling of food and utensils, and offensive tastes and odors.

Please check the link to learn changes in the number of complaints in Tokyo over the past five years
→Bureau of Social Welfare and Public Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Government
https://www.fukushihoken.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/shokuhin/kujou/index.html

I've heard that Japanese consumers often complain about foreign matters, but what types of objects are most common?

The Food Sanitation Act in Japan stipulates, in Article 6 (iv), that “food and additives which involve a risk to human health due to contamination or the addition of foreign substances or on other grounds shall not be sold (including cases of being delivered but not being sold to many and unspecified persons; the same shall apply hereinafter), or collected, produced, imported, processed, used, cooked, stored, or displayed for the purpose of marketing.”

In addition, the Standard Methods of Analysis in Food Safety Regulation defines the foreign matter as “any tangible foreign material that has been entered or mixed into the food product as a result of an unfavorable environment or method of handling during production, storage or distribution.

However, objects that are so small that their presence cannot be confirmed without using a high-magnification microscope are not included,” but in this guideline, there are no clear rules on size or amount of contamination. Therefore, any object which is “not originally in the food” can be a foreign matter.

The most common request for us to inspect is for hair, followed by insects and plastic pieces. We have also received requests for metal pieces, molds, and offensive odors.

What kind of hene management practices (HACCP, etc.) are used by food suppliers in Japan?

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000535178.pdf

Jurisdictions for food-related issues

I would like to know which government agency can help me with my question about food in Japan.

About agricultural and livestock products
→Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
https://www.maff.go.jp/e/index.html

About processed foods
→Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/shokuhin/index_00006.html

About food labeling
→Consumer Affairs Agency
https://www.caa.go.jp/en/policy/food_labeling/

For All Food-Related Needs – We Are Here