Abstract
With the introduction of the risk analysis framework in 2003, consumers have obtained opportunities to gather necessary information through risk communication about food safety, to express their opinions and to take action. Since its establishment, the food safety commission of Japan has been actively worked on risk communication based on the target audiences, themes, methods and others, and provided information. The author provides food safety information at local municipalities or media seminars, and sometimes receives opinions and questions based on information lacking scientific validity. This article introduces and discusses such experiences. Consumer concerns about food additives are often triggered by the labelling of “no food additives” and “no use of food additives” in terms of food labelling. This article reports that the Consumer Affairs Agency, Government of Japan prepared guidelines in March 2022 and inappropriate labelling has decreased as a result. For consumers, food labelling and concerns for food safety are two sides of the same coin, and therefore it is desirable that risk communication is conducted in food labelling awareness campaigns.
