Procedure for Safety Assessment | CAA

This page describes the procedure for safety assessment of foods and food additives produced by recombinant DNA techniques. Safety assessment is mandatory under the Food Sanitation Law. The Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare receives applications, while the Food Safety Commission evaluates safety regarding human health. In 1991, based on WHO and OECD guidelines, Japan established assessment guidelines, initiating voluntary evaluations. By April 2001, as genetically modified foods rapidly expanded globally, safety assessment became legally mandatory to prevent unassessed products from being distributed in Japan.