Tokyo Food Safety Information Center » Good things to know » Genetically modified foods » Tokyo Metropolitan Government initiatives
Tokyo Metropolitan Government initiatives
As no genetically modified agricultural products are currently cultivated commercially in Japan, all genetically modified foods in the country are imported foods. Accordingly, it is important that the nation maintain an inspection system at quarantine stations where imported food is checked before being allowed into the country. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has asked that the national government enhance and strengthen this check system at quarantine stations. Conversely, a variety of processed foods are made in Japan using imported genetically modified ingredients and sold commercially. Products available distributed domestically are checked by local governments. Since 2001, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has implemented inspections to verify that foods do not contain genetically modified foods whose safety has not been confirmed, and to check that labels such as ones stating “no genetically modified organisms” are accurate by ensuring that no more than 5% of products labeled as such consist of unintentionally included genetically modified foods.
Overview of monitoring conducted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government
