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Japan Today
3 days ago
- Health
- Japan Today
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 © Savvy Tokyo
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Illumina widens access to cancer tests with Medicare and new CDx
Illumina is expanding access to its oncology range of in vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests, as the company's TruSight Oncology (TSO) Comprehensive IVD is now covered under Medicare. This coverage also extends to most commercial health plans in the US. Preceding the US announcement, Illumina also announced that TSO Comprehensive has been approved by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW). TSO uses next-generation sequencing (NGS) to detect variants in more than 500 genes using nucleic acids extracted from tumour tissue samples from cancer patients with solid malignant neoplasms to increase the likelihood that immuno-oncology or clinically actionable biomarkers will be identified. Illumina's chief commercial officer Everett Cunningham said: 'With our growing portfolio of distributable clinical solutions, we are unlocking the next new standard of care for clinicians and their patients.' As part of a 2023 partnership with Pillar Bioscience, Illumina will offer the former's oncoReveal CDx to patients as of mid-2025. Used in sync with Illumina's MiSeq Dx system, oncoReveal detects genetic variations in 22 genes and is intended for previously diagnosed patients with solid tumours. As of last month, the kit is also covered under Medicare. Pillar's chief marketing officer Brian Wright commented: 'With over 66 million people in the US covered by Medicare, reimbursement of oncoReveal CDx will help ensure that highly accurate, actionable, and reimbursable next-generation sequencing testing is available to clinical laboratories and biopharmaceutical companies.' Illumina's TSO Comprehensive test and two companion diagnostic (CDx) indications secured approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last year. The CDx indications are for establishing whether adults and paediatric patients will benefit from treatment with Bayer's Vitrakvi (larotrectinib) when neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusions are detected in solid tumours. They also determine adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic rearranged during transfection (RET) fusion-positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). TSO Comprehensive is part of Illumina's broader TSO product portfolio. The company previously announced plans to launch TruSight Oncology 500 v2, a new version of its flagship next-NGS cancer assay for comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) of solid tumours, by mid-2025. According to GlobalData, the global NGS test devices market is set to reach a valuation of $5.1bn by 2033. Alongside Illumina, other leaders in the space include Thermo Fisher Scientific and Agilent Technologies. "Illumina widens access to cancer tests with Medicare and new CDx" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
HKFP
21-05-2025
- Business
- HKFP
Hong Kong labour chief defends imported labour schemes after unemployment rate rises
The Hong Kong labour minister has defended the government's schemes to import non-local workers following criticism that the programmes have led to a rising unemployment rate in the city. 'I have noticed that recent comments have linked the unemployment situation in certain industries to imported labour. I must emphasise that the government's manpower policy has always prioritised local workers,' Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said in a Chinese-language Facebook post on Tuesday. Sun's statement comes after the city recorded higher unemployment and underemployment rates – a record high since early 2023. Hong Kong's unemployment rate for the February-April period rose to 3.4 per cent, an increase of 0.2 percentage points compared with the January-March rate, according to the Census and Statistics Department's figures released on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the underemployment rate for the February-April period increased to 1.3 per cent, also a 0.2 percentage point rise compared with the January-March rate. Sun suggested that local workers and unions file a report with the Labour Department should they suspect an employer 'has replaced local employees with imported workers.' He added, 'I reiterate that employers cannot replace existing local employees with imported labour. If layoffs are necessary, employers should first reduce imported workers.' Chau Siu-chung, a pro-establishment lawmaker for the labour sector, wrote on Facebook on Tuesday that sectors such as catering and construction, which allow imported workers, had experienced a 'significant rise' in unemployment rates. Unemployment in both the construction and catering sectors from February to April has risen to 5.7 per cent, much higher than the general unemployment rate, he said, citing the government's data. 'On one hand, there is a large influx of foreign labour, on the other hand, more and more locals are becoming unemployed. This situation is concerning,' Chau said in the Chinese-language post. He also wrote that some employers fired local employees soon after hiring imported workers. The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions (FTU), a pro-establishment political party, also said that sectors eligible for non-local hires had reported a significant increase in unemployment rates. It urged the government to review various imported labour programmes, especially the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS), which permits non-local hires without quota limits. Expanded schemes Hong Kong expanded a series of imported labour schemes two years ago, citing a labour shortage. In June 2023, the government increased the quota for non-local workers in the construction and transport industries and residential care homes. In September 2023, the ESLS was launched. The scheme, which is set to end in September, allows Hong Kong employers to import workers for 26 types of jobs that were previously only open to local residents, such as cashiers, hair stylists, sales assistants, and waiters. As of the end of March, the city has imported more than 54,000 non-local workers under ESLS. Among them, more than 8,900 non-local workers worked as waiters – the most popular job taken up by imported workers – followed by junior cooks, according to the Labour and Welfare Bureau.
RTHK
14-05-2025
- Health
- RTHK
'More HK seniors choosing to retire on the mainland'
'More HK seniors choosing to retire on the mainland' Chris Sun, left, says there are currently 15 care homes in the GBA under the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong. Photo: RTHK Hong Kong's welfare chief on Wednesday said more seniors are choosing to spend their retirement in the Greater Bay Area thanks to continuing improvements to a scheme that subsidises elderly welfare recipients living in Guangdong care homes. Speaking on RTHK's Overview Policy programme, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun noted there are currently 15 care homes in the GBA under the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong (GDRCS). He noted these facilities provide elderly support, enhanced living spaces and a close proximity to Hong Kong. Sun also said the combination of the mainland's lower medical costs and enhancements to the GDRCS scheme makes retiring in the GBA more financially viable. "We have a plan launching around the middle of the year. For the elderly who joined our GDRCS Scheme, after purchasing medical insurance, the portion they would normally pay out-of-pocket will be covered by the government. For instance, we can cover up to HK$10,000 per year for outpatient care, and up to HK$30,000 per year for hospitalisation if needed," he said. "Since medical costs on the mainland are relatively low, HK$10,000 should suffice for monthly doctor visits and medications for conditions like hypertension, diabetes and lung-related problems. For the HK$30,000 hospitalisation coverage – even in worst-case scenarios, say a fall resulting in a broken bone followed by a stroke requiring an extended hospital stay – this amount should still be sufficient." Sun reported that more than 300 people participated in the scheme as of the end of last year, a notable increase from just over 100 when he took office in mid 2022.
The Star
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Sim in S. Korea for Apec HR meeting
PUTRAJAYA: Human Resources Minister Steven Sim (pic) is in South Korea until Tuesday to attend the 7th Apec Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting (HRDMM). In a statement, his ministry said Sim is leading the Malaysian delegation to the HRDMM in Jeju, which is being held for the first time in 11 years, with the last meeting taking place in Vietnam in 2014. The meeting, held in conjunction with the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Conference, is themed 'Labour Market Sustainability and Future Work'. 'The two main topics under discussion this time are Flexible and Dynamic Labour Markets, and Work Challenges of the Future and Active Labour Market Policies,' the statement said. The ministry said Malaysia's participation in this year's HRDMM underscores the country's continued commitment to foster cooperation and strengthen ties with Apec economic partners in the fields of human resources, manpower and social protection, reported Bernama. On the sidelines of the meeting, Sim will hold bilateral talks with Thailand's Labour Minister Phipat Ratchakitprakarn and Hong Kong's Labour and Welfare Secretary Chris Sun to explore strategic cooperation in labour matters and human capital development. 'The Human Resources Minister and his counterparts are expected to produce a Ministerial Joint Statement. 'It will cover topics such as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), women's participation in the workforce, empowerment of persons with disabilities, as well as worker safety and health, among others,' the statement added.
