Proposal to require reporting of health issues related to ‘functional foods’

A Consumers Affairs Agency panel has proposed new regulations for functional foods following health problems caused by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical supplement products containing red fermented rice. The panel of experts called for mandatory reporting of health issues caused by such products and tighter quality control measures.

The proposed legal rules would govern functional foods, which advertise health-enhancing ingredients without government review, replacing current guidelines. The panel also recommended regulations for foods with specified health uses, based on scientific evidence of their benefits and safety.

The agency will draft a plan to revise the functional foods system, incorporating the panel’s proposals. Health problems confirmed by a doctor’s diagnosis would be subject to mandatory reporting, with penalties for non-compliance. Companies failing to report health issues would be prohibited from claiming their products are functional foods.

An emergency survey conducted by the agency found 82 instances of health problems related to 31 products, with 75 cases linked to supplements. The survey, prompted by the Kobayashi Pharmaceutical scandal, covered over 6,700 products from nearly 1,700 companies. The agency revised its initial figures downward after excluding unregistered products and reports from non-medical professionals.

The Kobayashi Pharmaceutical scandal, which has been linked to at least five deaths in Japan, has sparked calls for stricter regulations on functional foods to protect consumers from potential health risks. The proposed reforms aim to improve transparency and accountability in the industry, ensuring the safety and efficacy of these products.