Processed foods are an indispensable part of most consumers’ daily diet. They are convenient, but in fact, they contain many food additives. There are many problems with additives, such as concerns about their safety, or the fact that they are used in Japan even though they are banned in other countries. The booklet consists of two parts: “Basics” which introduces the actual situation of food additives, and “Individual Foods” which summarizes what is used and what are the problems in individual foods. Please keep this booklet at hand and take the first step toward a diet that reduces additives. It is also an ideal textbook for study groups. Language: Japanese…
Japan Resources – 179
Please click here for our latest English newsletter: CUJ JR 179 We hope you will continue to stay updated with CUJ’s activities and news on our English website, and support our campaigns! Contents: From the Editors: Staying Safe, and More Open Letter of Inquiry Regarding the Handling of Genome-Edited Foods New Booklet: Glyphosate Wild-Growing Canola Still a Problem Questionnaire Regarding Vaccination Against COVID-19
Report: Current status of New & Emerging GM Technologies in Japan and Consumer Reactions
This is a brief report on the current status of new and emerging GM technologies, including genome editing, in Japan. We also want to highlight the debate and protests that are ongoing regarding such technologies. Consumers Union of Japan has concluded that we do not want to be unknowingly exposed to food artificially created in this way, and that we do not need such genome-edited food. Click here to down load the report (PDF): 20201202 Report Genome Editing in Japan
Open Letter of Inquiry Regarding the Handling of Genome-Edited Foods
From: No! GMO Campaign Amagasa Keisuke Consumers Union of Japan Kazuko Ohno Michiyo Koketsu To: Major Food Companies in Japan 12 November 2020 Open Letter of Inquiry Regarding the Handling of Genome-Edited Foods We are citizens’ groups campaigning against the use of genetically modified technology in food. Genetically modified crops are subject to a very simple safety review called “Substantial Equivalence,” despite the fact that the GM technology relies heavily on random events and can produce toxic substances due to unexpected genetic changes. More than 20 years have passed since genetically modified foods were first distributed in Japan, but not only are these concerns still unresolved. The labeling of genetically…
New Booklet: Glyphosate
CUJ and the No! GMO Campaign have published a new booklet about the dangerous herbicide glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup and other brands. Written by Amagasa Keisuke, it outlines the recent events including lawsuits in the US and new data about the toxic effects. Here in Japan, residue of glyphosate has been found in bread made with imported wheat. The booklet also exposes how in 2017, the Japanese government increased the legal residue levels in many foods: Wheat flour: From 5 => 30 parts per million (ppm) Rye wheat flour: From 0.2 => 30…