[Life style diseases and functional foods]

Area of Science:

• Food science and public health in Japan.
• Focus on functional foods and health claims.

Background:

• Rising lifestyle-related diseases in Japan.
• Growing public interest in diet and health.
• Need for improved quality of life (QOL) and reduced healthcare costs in an aging society.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the evolution and current status of functional food systems in Japan.
• To outline the regulatory landscape for health-related food products.
• To provide an outlook on future developments in this sector.

Main Methods:

• Review of historical development of functional food regulations.
• Analysis of current Japanese food labeling systems for health claims.
• Examination of industry trends and consumer interest.

Main Results:

• Japan has a long history of regulating functional foods, starting with "food for specified health uses."
• The "Foods with Function Claims" system, established in 2015, represents a significant advancement.
• These systems aim to support healthy life expectancy and manage lifestyle-related diseases.

Conclusions:

• Japan's regulatory framework for functional foods has evolved to meet public health challenges.
• The "Foods with Function Claims" system facilitates innovation and consumer choice in health-promoting foods.
• Continued development in this area is crucial for public health and economic well-being.