Recently Japan unveiled the informal drafts of positive lists of additives and polymers used in food contact materials. By Jun. 28, 2019, the draft list of additives contains a total of 1364 items (download here).[1] The list specifies CAS No., maximum limits in different types of FCM, and revision notes etc.
The draft list of base polymers contains four sheets:
base polymer;
base polymer (paints);
base polymer (crosslinkers);
trace monomers (download here)[2].
The official positive lists have not been released and are expected to be open for public consultation in July or August this year.
In Jun. 2018, Japan introduced the positive list system for the first time in the revised Food Sanitation Act.[3] Currently Japan implements a negative list to regulate use of chemicals/materials in FCM which deviate from global best practices and often leads to a situation in which materials and products banned in one country can be sold in Japan[4].