抄録
All functionality claims for foods in Japan have been decided by the government so far. In contrast, new functionality claiming system will be enforced from April, 2015, in which a company will be able to decide the claims based on scientific evidence. The functionality claiming system of dietary supplement in the US, namely structure/function claim based on the Dietary Supplement, Health and Education Act (DSHEA) was referred for making the new system. Most foods including perishable foods are covered by the new system and the prior notification to the Consumer Affairs Agency was decided to be introduced. Substantiation of scientific evidence for the claims, providing accurate and understandable information to consumers, securing safety and quality of the foods and the government's role are the main subjects but the most important thing is that the securing of safety and quality is the major premise for the system. The framework of the new system is introduced in this paper with a consideration of the future challenges especially in securing safety and quality that arose by the comparison with DSHEA.
