19 April 2006 - On April 14th, 2006 the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced the intent to designate three new substances as approved food additives. Comments are being accepted until April 28th.
Designation of Food Additives (Ammonium Alginate, Potassium Alginate and Calcium Alginate)
Purpose
This activity is to newly designate three substances (Ammonium Alginate, Potassium Alginate, and Calcium Alginate) as authorized food additives. Under Article 10 of the Food Sanitation Law, food additives may be used or marketed only when they are designated by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare. Where use standards or specifications are established for additives under Article 11 of the law, those additives may be marketed only when they meet the established standards or specifications.
In response to consultation by the Minister, the Subcommittee on Food Additives under the Food Sanitation Committee under the Pharmaceutical Affairs and Food Sanitation Council has discussed the adequacy of the designation of these substances as food additive. The report from the subcommittee is outlined as below.
Outline
The Minister should designate Ammonium Alginate, Potassium Alginate, and Calcium Alginate based on Article 10 of the Food Sanitation Law as food additives not injurious to human health. Under Article 11 of the law, compositional specifications for these substances should be established. However, it is not necessary to establish use standards. The draft specifications are given in the attachment 1, 2 and 3.