Category Archives: Others

  The Consumer Affairs Agency has decided to allow all food products to be labeled as having health benefits to certain parts of the body starting next fiscal year, provided that producers offer scientific evidences, it was learned Friday, July 18. Under the new system, food manufacturers will be able to specifically label their products as being effective in helping maintain the health of eyes or bones for example. As for agricultural products, items with well-grounded health benefits are currently limited to such products as tangerines and green tea. In order to utilize the system to boost sales, it will be necessary to clarify functions of more food items. The … Continue reading →

  Hana Saito,  Masaru Yamada 25 beef brands including the word “wagyu” (meaning Japanese beef) are registered in the United States with 12 more filed under application as of Thursday, July 3, it was learned. Beef dealers are becoming eager to register their brands as wagyu beef, as they see business chances in the increasing popularity of Japanese cuisine. The National Federation of Agricultural Co-operative Associations (JA Zen-Noh), which markets agricultural products made in Japan, has also applied for trademark registration of wagyu beef. In the U.S., however, beef from wagyu-cross cattle is also marketed as wagyu beef. In order for Japan to promote U.S.-bound beef exports amid intensifying market … Continue reading →