Japan Regulates Food Contact Articles Made of Polyethylene Naphthalate (PEN)

On 8 June 2016, the Japan Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) published Notice No.245 of 2016 which amended the Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, etc. under the Food Sanitation Law of Notice No. 370 of 1959. The amendment shall apply to food contact articles and packaging made of mainly Polyethylene Naphthalate (PEN) that are manufactured or imported into Japan after 8 December 2016. 

Food utensils, containers and packaging manufactured mainly with PEN materials should comply with the new requirements for residues after evaporation and migration of germanium in addition to the existing requirements on general plastic...