Japan published new Pesticide Residues Regulations by
the end of November 2005. However, as yet these are not
posted in English on the Japan External Trade Organization's
website - www.jetro.go.jp,
heading Food Sanitation Law.
There are three listings of particular interest to the coffee
trade:
- Substances established by the Minister of Health, Labour and
Welfare as not posing adverse effects on human health (referred to
as 'exempt substances) - 65 items listed;
- Agricultural chemicals which shall not be detected in any food
- 15 items listed;
- List of maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticide in green
coffee beans - 140 items listed;
To note that green coffee beans containing agricultural
chemicals over the uniform levels[1], or the maximum
residue limits[2], cannot be
imported, distributed or processed in Japan.
Of interest also is the fact that parties outside Japan can make
requests to the Japanese government to establish or amend maximum
residue limits in Japan for agricultural chemicals whose use is
newly approved for green coffee beans that might be exported to
Japan. (PFSB/DFS Notification No. 0205001, Feb. 5, 2004).
The above is based on translated documentation kindly provided by
the All Japan Coffee Association - we suggest you ask your contact
in Japan to furnish you with a copy.
Posted 31 January 2006
[1] Uniform Level: the amount (0.01ppm)
established by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare as
not posing any adverse health effects. The uniform level is applied
to all the agricultural chemicals for which a maximum residue
limit is not established.
[2] Maximum Residue Limits: Substances used as
ingredients of agricultural chemicals specified as 'not to be
detected' in foods = 2 above, and Chemicals for which
specific maximum residue limits have been set for green
coffee beans = 3 above.