G/SPS/N/JPN/334  
 
20 February 2014  
(14-1067)  Page: 1/2  
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION 
1. Notifying Member: JAPAN 
If applicable, name of local government involved:   
2. Agency responsible: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) 
3. Products covered (provide tariff item  number(s) as specified in national 
schedules deposited with the WTO; IC S numbers should be provided in 
addition, where applicable): Food additive (beta-Apo-8'-carotenal) 
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected , to the extent relevant or practicable: 
[X] All trading partners   
[ ] Specific regions or countries:   
5. Title of the notified document: Amendment to the Enforcement Ordinance of the 
Food Sanitation Law and the Standards and Specifications for Foods and Food Additives  
Language(s): English  Number of pages: 5 
http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2014/sps/JPN/14_0894_00_e.pdf  
6. Description of content: Authorization of beta-Apo-8'-carotenal as food additives and 
establishment of standards and specifications. 
7. Objective and rationale: [X] food safety, [ ] animal health, [ ] plant protection, 
[ ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [ ] protect territory from 
other damage from pests.   
8. Is there a relevant international st andard? If so, identify the standard:  
[X] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g.  title or serial number of Codex 
standard or related text)   
[ ] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g. Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number)    
[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g. ISPM number)    
[ ] None Does this proposed regulation conform to the relevant international standard?   
[ ] Yes   [X] No 
If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the 
international standard: Beta-Apo-8'-carotenal is not permitted in fresh fish/shellfish 
(including fresh whale meat), konbu  (kelp)/ wakame  (both Laminariales algae), 
legumes/pulses, meat, nori (laver), tea, or vegetables to prevent consumers from being 
misled about the identity or quality of food. G/SPS/N/JPN/334 
 
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  9. Other relevant documents and language (s) in which these are available:  
Food Sanitation Law. When adopted, this amendment will be published in Kampo, the 
official Japanese Governmental Ga zette (available in Japanese). 
10. Proposed date of adoption (dd/mm/yy) : As soon as possible. 
Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy) : As soon as possible. 
11. Proposed date of entry into force: [ ] Six months from date of publication , 
and/or  (dd/mm/yy) : As soon as possible after publication. 
[X] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Final date for comments: [ ] Sixty days from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) : Not applicable 
Agency or authority designated to hand le comments: [ ] National Notification 
Authority, [X] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address 
(if available) of other body:   
13. Texts available from: [ ] National Notifi cation Authority, [X] National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address (if available) of other body:   
Japan Enquiry Point  
International Trade Division Economic Affairs Bureau 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
Fax: +(81 3) 5501 8343 E-mail: enquiry@mofa.go.jp