The History and Challenges of Japan's Health Food System: Considering the Future from the Birth of FOSHU
Professor Emeritus Hideaki Karaki of the University of Tokyo has presented a new perspective on Japan's health food system. In this contribution, he compares two systems: Japan's "Foods for Specified Health Uses (FOSHU)" system, which began in 1991, and the "DSHEA (Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act)" introduced in the United States in 1994.
In Japan, a system called "FOSHU" was established, setting strict standards for health foods and having the government certify their efficacy. This system aims to enable consumers to choose products with peace of mind. On the other hand, the U.S. DSHEA is designed to allow companies to develop products more freely, showing that the design philosophies of the two countries differ significantly.
Professor Karaki looks back on how Japan's system has developed and points out the challenges currently facing the health food market. He states that it is particularly important for consumers to understand the historical background of the system in order to correctly understand and safely use health foods.
Discussions continue among experts regarding what kind of health food strategy Japan should adopt in the future. It may be time to review how the system should be structured to grow the market while protecting the health of consumers.