Japanese food additives explained: What you're really eating
By Savvy Tokyo
Navigating food labels in Japan can feel like decoding a secret language, even if you've been here for years.
Once you finally figure out how to read Japanese food labels, there's still that long list of mysterious ingredients that pop up after the slash mark (／). What even are half of these things? Are they safe? Necessary? For example, why does an onigiri (rice ball) with no filling, literally just a ball of white rice, have so many things after that slash mark? If you've ever found yourself wondering about Japanese food additives, you're not alone.
Here's your no-stress, savvy guide to understanding what's actually in that already-made bento box, that family pack of senbei (rice crackers) or even your kid's favorite snack from the convenience store.
Before vs After The Slash
Image: Shelley Smith
To put it as simply as possible, when it comes to Japanese food labeling, keep these key differences in mind:
Ingredients before the slash ( / ): Main food components (e.g., flour, sugar, oil)
Main food components (e.g., flour, sugar, oil) Ingredients after the slash ( / ): Food additives (食品添加物; shokuhin tenkabutsu)
This labeling system is part of Japanese food safety regulations designed to provide clarity when shopping for food products. Learning how to spot and understand additives in Japanese foods can help you make healthier, more informed choices.
What Are Food Additives For?
Image: iStock: Yuto photogra
Food additives are substances added to foods for various reasons, including:
Preservation
Texture
Color
Flavor
In Japan, the list of approved additives includes both natural and synthetic ones. Some are totally harmless — or even helpful — while others raise eyebrows.
Are Additives in Japanese Foods Safe?
The short answer is mostly yes, at least in the quantities allowed. Japan has fairly strict food safety laws and a list of approved food additives managed by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. However, those who are more health-conscious may try to avoid artificial additives.
Common Japanese Food Additives
Click here to read more.
External Link
https://savvytokyo.com/
© Savvy Tokyo
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NHK
a day ago
- NHK
Japan's former Princess Mako gives birth: Imperial Household Agency
Japan's Imperial Household Agency says former Princess Mako has given birth. The top official in charge of Crown Prince Akishino's household, Yoshida Naomasa, made the announcement at a regular news conference on Friday. He said he had hoped the former princess would be in a quiet environment, but decided to announce the arrival of her child after some media outlets reported the news. Yoshida said he does not know the sex of the baby, or the date of birth. He said the Crown Prince and Princess Akishino, Princess Kako and Prince Hisahito wished the family happiness. Mako is the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and a niece of Emperor Naruhito. She married college classmate Komuro Kei in October 2021 and moved to the US the following month. Japanese princesses leave the Imperial household and become a commoner when they marry outside the Imperial family.
Japan Times
a day ago
- Japan Times
Nomura's smoking ban leads to less staff lighting up
Nomura's drive to cut the smoking rate among its staff is bearing fruit, pushing the firm closer to its goal of improving health among its employees. Close to 15% of staff at Japan's largest brokerage were smokers in the fiscal year ended March 2024, down from 21.4% as of March 2018, according to an investor presentation that included details on its other health management initiatives. Nomura, which has more than 14,000 employees in Japan, had set a target to reduce the smoking rate to 12% by March 2026. Nomura's health and productivity management goals for staff include promoting walking habits. It has also introduced subsidies for egg-freezing services starting in April, to give female employees more options to plan their lives and careers, the firm said in its presentation. The firm, which has been providing financial aid since 2017 to help workers quit smoking, asked staff during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 not to smoke while working, even at home. However, the rules were based on mutual trust and didn't include a punitive clause. It also removed smoking rooms from its offices, and encouraged staff who light up during their lunch break not to return to the office within 45 minutes of smoking. The lower smoking rate at Nomura reflects a larger national decline in Japan and other developed markets, as people become more aware about health risks linked with cigarettes. The government aims to have only 12% of people age 20 or older still smoke by 2033, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare website. More than 15% of Japanese adults were smokers as of 2024, according to a survey by the ministry last year.
Japan Times
a day ago
- Japan Times
Former Japanese princess Mako gives birth to first child
Mako Komuro, the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, has given birth to her first child, the Imperial Household Agency said Friday. In a regular press conference, Naomasa Yoshida, grand master of the Crown Prince's Household, did not disclose the baby's sex or date of birth, but said that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess as well as their other children, Princess Kako and Prince Hisahito, are delighted about the birth and are wishing for the happiness of the Komuro family. The newborn is the first grandchild for the Crown Prince and Crown Princess. Regarding the timing of the announcement, the grand master said: "This is a matter for a person who has left the Imperial Family, and we had hoped that she would spend her time in a quiet environment. We decided to make the announcement, however, in light of some media reports (about the birth)." Mako, 33, left the Imperial Family after marrying Kei Komuro, 33, a former schoolmate at International Christian University in Tokyo, in October 2021. They moved to the United States together the following month. Kei passed the New York state bar examination on his third attempt in 2022 and now works at a law firm there.
