Handling Of Food Containing Cyanide Compound

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) has published a notification on Sep 19, 2017 regarding the treatment of food containing Cyanide Compound.

According to the administration announcement made on Sept 3, 2008, MHLW has requested thorough guidance for voluntary inspections etc. for foods, beverages, etc. containing natural cyanide compound

(excluding those subject to inspection orders).

In view of the recent cases where cyanide was detected from leaves of frozen cassava when voluntary inspections are conducted during import, since cassava leaves were added to the main food naturally containing cyanide compounds, the MHLW requests that thorough guidance to be continued.

Further the administrative notice announced on Sept 3, 2008 shall be abolished with effect from today.

Notes:

1. For food and its processed food that are known to naturally contain cyanide compound (excluding those subject to inspection orders), the cargo shall be retained for each import, and voluntary inspection for cyanide compounds will be required.

Further, when the cyanide compound detected exceeds 10ppm, it shall be deemed to be a violation of Article 6 of the Food Sanitation Act.

<Main Foods> Flax seeds, apricot seeds, plum seeds, bitter almonds, cassava leaves

2. When it is clear that cyanide compound is not detected in final products which were imported as a raw material for oil pressing and processed in oil in Japan, inspection mentioned in 1. will not be required. In this case, it has to be confirmed that the item will not be used for any other uses other than its intended purpose.

3. Even when the cyanide compounds detected in 1. exceed 10 ppm, as there are precedent cases where the dietary intake of cyanide compound in the final product has been reduced over the course of cooking and processing in Japan, MHLW shall take these cases as a reference as they were deemed to be not in violation of violation of Article 6 of the Food Sanitation Act.

Source: http://www.mhlw.go.jp/file/06-Seisakujouhou-11130500-Shokuhinanzenbu/0000177838.pdf