Japanese government announces flexible application of food labeling regulations due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food supply chains

The global COVID-19 pandemic has a serious impact on global food production, forcing food business operators to alter their product supply chains. Production of raw materials has been affected by COVID-19 resulting in shortages that have forced food business operators to make substitutions.　To address this situation, the Consumer Affairs Agency, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced on April 10, 2020 a more flexible application of the Food Labeling Standards to ensure that the food production system continues to meet the needs of consumers.