Japan |Standards for Use of Dipotassium L-Tartrate, Calcium Carbonate Ⅱ & Metatartaric Acid in Food

On 4 December 2020 , the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) published the following regulations to add Dipotassium L-Tartrate and Metatartaric Acid to Appendix Table 1 of Ordinance for Enforcement of the Food Sanitation Act (hereafter referred to as the "Ordinance") based on Article12 of the Food Sanitation Act (Act No. 233 of 1947)(hereafter referred to as the "Act")

• a ministerial ordinance (MHLW Ordinance No. 195 of 2020) to partially amend the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Food Sanitation Act (MHLW Ordinance No. 23 of 1948) ; and

• a partial amendment (MHLW Notification No. 381 No. 1 of 2020) of the Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food additives, etc. (Act No. 370 of 1959)

Key changes in this annoucement

1. The specifications and standards for Dipotassium L-Tartrate and Metatartaric Acid as food additives has been newly established, based on the provisions of Article 13, Paragraph 1 of the Act.

2. Based on the provisions of the same paragraph, the name of Calcium Carbonate, an existing food additive for which standards have been set, has been changed to Calcium Carbonate I.

3. Additionally, new standards for Calcium Carbonate II have been set.

4. Section C. Reagents, Solutions, and Other Reference Materials of the Japan’s Specifications and Standards for Food Additives (JSFA) has been also revised in accordance with the above-mentioned amendments.

Cautionary notes on standards for use

• When using Dipotassium L-Tartrate, Metatartaric Acid and Calcium Carbonate II, appropriate manufacturing process controls shall be carried out and the amount used shall not exceed the amount required to obtain the desired effect in food.

• "Wine" mentioned in the standards for use above refers to fruit wine stipulated in Article 3-13, and sweet fruit wine in Article 14 of the Liquor Tax Act (Act No. 6 of 1953), made from grapes as the main ingredient.

• For Metatartaric Acid is used in concentrated wine, the standards for use shall be applicable to the volume after dilution.

Applicable Date:

This amendment shall apply from the day of notice.

[Source document]:

［令和2年12月４日生食発120４第1号］食品衛生法施行規則の一部を改正する省令及び 食品、添加物等の規格基準の一部を改正する件について

Related articles:

Ministerial Ordinance To Partially Amend The Ordinance for Enforcement of the Food Sanitation Act (MHLW Ordinance No. 195 of 2020)

Partial Amendment of Specifications And Standards for Foods, Food additives, etc. (MHLW Notification No. 381 of 2020)