In a world of pre-packaged food and extensive food processing, trying to stay healthy and largely commit to natural foods can be a difficult task. This is even true in Japan, where ingredient lists and nutrition information on packaging can be difficult to understand without a strong command of the Japanese language. When it comes to food additives, Japan has strong standards.

However, these are not always clear to the ordinary consumer. Keep reading as we cover how additive and additive-free foods in Japan are defined.

How Japan Defines Food Additives

Food additives in Japan are controlled and standardized by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW). The Ministry analyzes and approves food additives to be considered acceptable based on the Food Safety Act (FSA) of 1947, Japan’s predominant lasting food safety and hygiene act. Food additives are defined as substances used in or on food in the manufacturing process or substances used for the processing and preserving of food.

This includes processing aids, flavoring and coloring agents, and vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. These substances can be of either natural or artificial origin. In some countries, substances of natural origin are not considered food additives, and so this is an important point to remember when looking at ingredient lists and additives in Japan.

Food Additive Categories

The MHLW regulates food additives under a “positive list” system, meaning additives must be analyzed, approved, reviewed, and added to the list before they can be used in foods in Japan. There are four main categories that food additives in Japan fall into. These include:

Designated additives: Substances that have been carefully examined by the MHLW and designated as being safe for human consumption.

Existing food additives: Additives that were already prevalent prior to the introduction of the FSA and so are considered safe due to the long history of use without negative side effects.

Natural flavoring agents: Products from natural origin that are used to add to or enhance the flavor of food.

Ordinary foods used as food additives: Similar to natural flavoring agents in that they are natural substances that are stand-alone foods but can also be used as an additive; this includes substances like fruit juice.

Note: The links above will send you to the Japan Food Chemical Research Foundation website, where they provide complete lists in English of food additives accepted for each category (with some lists also including the Japanese translation of each additive). 

Food Additives That Are Permitted for Use in Japan

There are 454 designated additives and 365 existing food additives that are approved for use in Japan. When combined with the natural flavoring agents and ordinary foods, the list comes to over 1500 items. This may seem overwhelming, but it is important to remember that some of the items on this list are beneficial, natural components of foods in addition to chemically derived substances.

Some of the most common additives in Japanese food include artificial sweeteners (such as aspartame and stevia), various colorings, and preservatives (such as sodium benzoate and sorbic acid). There are also a number of substances approved to enhance flavor, such as caffeine for bitterness, citric acid for sourness, and amino acids for umami.

Emulsifiers like glycerin fatty acids and thickeners or gelling agents like xanthan gum and guar gum are often used to stabilize the texture of food. Various vitamins are often added to improve the nutritional value of foods; these often include vitamin C and calcium chloride.

About "Additive-free"(無添加) Food Labeling

Just as there has been an increase in healthy eating and a focus on natural ingredients in various countries, Japan has also been taking up the trend. This has resulted in a number of Japanese companies adding “additive free,” “no colorants,” or “no preservatives” to their packaging in hopes of attracting customers who are looking for additive-free options. However, with no clear rules from the MHLW regarding this labeling, it is important to look more carefully into the food you are buying.

Often, foods labeled “no colorants” may have other additives, or when labeled “no preservatives” have other additives with a secondary preservative effect. The nutritional information label on food with a list of raw ingredients is the best way to truly check whether additives have been used and which ones. However, companies are allowed to omit additives that may have been used during the processing of food but are not present in large amounts in the final product. This ambiguous labeling can make it difficult to commit to an additive-free lifestyle in Japan.

Additive-Free is called "無添加 (Mutenka・むてんか）" in Japanese. Look for the 3 kanji characters when you try to find non-additive food at a store.

Where to Buy Additive-free & Organic Food in Japan

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While natural, additive-free, organic food is still less accessible in Japan than in the United States or Europe, there is a slowly growing number of stores and restaurants focused on natural ingredients and healthy living in Japan’s metropolitan areas. Many supermarkets aren’t focused on natural ingredients but do include a range of organic foods. These range from the big chain supermarkets like AEON through to the smaller stores like Seijo Ishii, which is more import-focused.

Farmers markets are also a great way to find organic food while supporting local producers. Most large cities in Japan have regular farmers markets and many areas have local fruit stalls as well.

There has also been a rise in the number of restaurants opening with a focus on natural living and organic ingredients. This allows health-conscious consumers to eat out without the worry of whether or not the restaurant’s food has unhealthy additives.

Find Additive-Free Food on Amazon

These are carefully selected items that are food additive-free. Click the photo to see details.

Miso and Miso Soup without MSG

Fish Dashi (broth) and Chicken Stock (broth) without MSG

Soup / Vegetable bouillon (Broth) without MSG

Organic Peanut Butter, Ghee, Apple Sauce

Incorporate a Healthy Diet into Your Life in Japan

Trying to eat all-natural, additive-free foods can be a difficult task, especially in Japan where food labeling and additive categories can be confusing. However, by taking small steps to reduce the number of additives in your diet, it is easy to make a difference to your health and general quality of life. With Japan’s inclusion of natural additives to the list approved by the MHLW, it is best to read the ingredient list (possibly with the aid of a photo translation app) to decide which products are best for you.

If you happened to live in Tokyo, we have compiled a comprehensive list of natural food stores, farmers markets, online stores, and restaurants that cater to customers looking for natural, organic food options. And for more information on understanding Japanese nutrition labels, be sure to check out How to Read Japanese Nutrition Labels.