News Details
Japan establishes new standards for PFOS and PFOA in mineral water
On 26 February 2025, Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a proposed revision to water quality standards under the Food Sanitation Act. This revision aims to establish specifications for sterilized or filter sterilized mineral water. At the same time, the CAA published this notice on Japan’s e-GOV Public Comment Portal.
Background
According to Article 12 of the Food Sanitation Act 1947, the Prime Minister may allow the sale of specific food additives. However, the Health and Welfare Public Notice No. 370 of 1959 prohibits the sale of food additives unless they comply with the regulations, as set out in Article 13 of the Act.
The Food Safety Commission of Japan (FSCJ) has reviewed specifications and standards for mineral water and assessing the health effects of synthetic organofluorine chemical compounds, particularly per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in food. As a result, Japan will establish water quality standards for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in sterilized or filter sterilized mineral waters under the Water Supply Act.
New Standards for Mineral Water
The following new standards for PFOS and PFAS in mineral water will be established:
|
Name of the Substance |
Maximum Limit (Earlier) |
Maximum Limit (New) |
|
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) |
Not established |
0.00005 mg/l as total |
|
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) |
Comment Period and Enforcement Dates
The 60-day comment period will end on 27 April 2025. The newly established standards are expected to be enforced from 1 April 2026.
We acknowledge that the above information has been compiled from World Trade Organization (WTO) and e-GOV Public Comment Portal (Japan).
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