Foods with function claims emerging from the framework of so-called health foods

Abstract A new function claim system within the framework of health foods, Foods With Function Claims (FFC), was added in Apr. 2015 into preexisting health claim systems such as Foods With Specified Health Uses (FOSHU) and Foods With Nutrient Function Claims, while so-called health foods continued to be a large part of health foods. A striking difference between FFC and FOSHU in the categorization is that FFC adopts a registration or notification system. Consequently, the safety and efficacy (function claims) of any FFC product should have scientifically evidence for which applicants (sellers) take responsibilities in documenting, whereas FOSHU is performed within a government approval system. The Consumer Affair Agency's major aims of implementing FFC are to provide consumers with an opportunity to select foods with function/health claims and vitalize the health foods market, allowing small to medium-size enterprises to capitalize on FFC.