JHNFA is a public interest incorporated foundation authorized by the Cabinet Office in 2011. It was originally founded in 1985 as an incorporated foundation authorized by Japan's health ministry with the aim of promoting public health.

The Japan Health and Nutrition Food Association (JHNFA) disseminates appropriate information and supports the application and notification for Foods with Health Claims (i.e.,Foods for Specified Health Uses, Foods with Nutrient Function Claims, and Foods with Function Claims), which are considered beneficial for maintaining and promoting health, and Foods for Special Dietary Uses that address specific nutritional or medical needs.

In addition, the Association operates the certification program for the Japan Health Food Authorization (JHFA) Mark, aimed at enhancing public confidence in health foods. This program establishes category-specific standards for a variety of health foods. Once an application is submitted, the Association evaluates the product through a third-party committee composed of experts in medicine, pharmacology, and nutrition. Products that meet the established criteria are granted certification to display the JHFA Mark.

Since 2005, we have implemented the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification program to ensure proper production and quality control of health foods.

In 2010, we launched an In-house Safety Assessment Certification program, under which an expert third-party committee evaluates the safety assessments voluntarily conducted by food business operators. Through these initiatives, we have been working to ensure the quality and safety of health food products.

Furthermore, we regularly hold training courses to cultivate Health Food Advisors who are specialists equipped to offer appropriate guidance on health foods to consumers.

＜NOTE＞
Due to the public nature of the organization, JHNFA does not offer business matching services for foreign companies entering the Japanese market or expanding their business in Japan. JHNFA also does not provide consultation on product export to Japan.


Name: Japan Health and Nutrition Food Association

President (honorary):
Akiko Santo (member of the House of Councillors)

Director General:
Tetsuya Yajima,M.D(former Director-General of Health Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)

Address:
7-27 Ichigaya-sadohara 2-chome, Shinjuku, Tokyo 162-0842, Japan
Phone: (81) 3-3268-3134 Fax: (81) 3-3268-3136
E-mail: jhnfa@jnhfa.org　　URL: https://www.jhnfa.org

Activities:

  • Establishment of voluntary standards for dietary supplements and management and promotion of the certification program pertaining to the said standards
  • Operation and promotion of the third-party GMP certification program GMP for dietary supplements
  • Management and promotion of the third-party safety certification program for health foods
  • Support and promotion of applications and notifications for foods with health claims defined in Japan (foods for specified health uses, foods with function claims, and foods with nutrient function claims) and foods for special dietary uses.
  • Promotion, education, surveying and research with regard to appropriate nutritional labeling according to food labeling standards
  • Publication of academic journals and translation of foreign literature
  • Training and certification of food quality advisers
  • Collection, management and provision of domestic and foreign information and materials


JHFA stands for “Japan Health Food Authorization.” It is pronounced “jafa.

With the aim of ensuring product quality and safety, the “JHFA Mark,” which has been in operation since 1986, is a safety and security mark for health foods that have　passed strict evaluations of product quality, safety and effectiveness.We support consumers’ product choices by granting the JHFA Mark on certified health food products.

There are two types of certification programs: “standard-based JHFA certification”　for which an evaluation is conducted in accordance with the prescribed standards; and “individually evaluated JHFA certification” for which an evaluation is conducted for individual products.

Product evaluation is required to obtain JHFA certification. A rigorous emulation is carried out by the JHFA Certification Committee comprised of third-party experts.


Products that bear this mark are certified health foods that meet the voluntary standard related to health food quality established by the Association.

69 standards



Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) is a guideline for manufacturing management　and quality control of products and raw materials. Compliance with GMP is essential　to ensure the safety and better quality of products and raw materials, while　implementation of GMP is expected to increase consumer trust and confidence in　health foods.

We have been operating a GMP certification program through inspections and evaluations since April 2005, and certified factories are permitted to display the “GMP　Factory Mark” for their companies’ advertising and promotional materials. Furthermore,　individually approved products are allowed to display the “GMP Product Mark.


GMP Factory Mark

This mark can be displayed by factories that pass the Association's review.

GMP Product Mark

This mark can be displayed on products that are manufactured at a GMP certified factory and for which an application has been submitted and successfully passed.



In-house Safety Assessment Certification Program for Health Foods reviews and certifies the results of safety assessments voluntarily conducted by food business　operators for health food raw materials. Certified raw materials and the products　containing them may display the designated registration code number and safety mark.

This is a third-party certification program for the safety of health foods. This is the Japanese version of self-affirmed GRAS.
This mark is displayed for raw materials that have been self-certified as being safe.
Products for which an application has been submitted and that have successfully passed the review process can bear the mark.