Food Sanitation Act: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Understand the requirements for obtaining a food business license and the mandatory safety standards for shops in Japan.
The Food Sanitation Act is a regulatory framework used in Japan to ensure that food products sold to the public meet safety standards. This act establishes the rules that food businesses must follow to operate legally and safely.
Who it's for
This scheme is for any shop selling food. If your business involves the sale of food products, you fall under the scope of this act.
What you get
The primary benefit of following this act is obtaining the official business license required to sell food products. This license serves as the legal authorization for your shop to conduct its food-related sales operations.
What it costs you
Operating under this act requires more than just a fee; it requires human resources. Specifically, you are required to have a designated food hygiene supervisor. This individual is responsible for overseeing the safety and hygiene standards within your business to ensure they meet the legal requirements.
The catch to know
The most important thing to understand is that HACCP compliance is now mandatory for all food businesses. HACCP is a specific set of management procedures used to ensure food safety. Because this is now a requirement for all businesses under the act, you must ensure your shop's operations align with these safety management standards to remain compliant.
How to apply
- Identify if your shop qualifies as a food seller.
- Ensure you have a designated food hygiene supervisor for your business.
- Prepare to implement mandatory HACCP compliance within your shop's operations.
- Follow the official procedures to obtain your business license.