Halal resources
https://www.halalfoodinjapan.com/
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2302.html
Kosher resources
http://blue-vagabond.com/2021/08/28/japan-for-vegans-vegetarians-and-kosher-eaters-the-ultimate-guide/ (includes info on the Chabad House Kyoto!)
Managing your diet safely
- Check EVERY label - even for food items you are used to being 'safe' at home.
- Watch out for 'hidden' allergen sources as ingredients lists are not always as detailed in Japan.
- Take due care regarding cross-contamination: awareness of this can be lower in Japan.
- Ingredients that are not a designated allergen and are used in 'small' amounts do not have to be declared on the food label in Japan - for gluten, unidentified 'vinegar' and 'starch'' are NOT safe (see Gluten Free section for more information)
- If you aren't 100 per cent sure, tell yourself NO! it's better to be safe.
27 Japanese food allergens
Under the Japanese "Food Labelling Standards" of the Consumer Affairs Agency, labeling is mandated for the 7 top allergens and recommended for 20 other allergens.
Gluten, barley, rye and oats are NOT allergens under Japanese law - see the "Gluten Free" section for details.
7 Top Allergens
Gluten, barley, rye and oats are NOT allergens under Japanese law - see the "Gluten Free" section for details.
7 Top Allergens
English |
Japanese |
Japanese (kanji) |
Japanese (kana) |
Buckwheat |
soba |
蕎麦 |
そば |
Crab |
kani |
蟹 |
かに |
Egg |
tamago |
卵 |
たまご |
MIlk |
gyu-nyu |
牛乳 |
ぎゅうにゅう |
Peanut |
pi-natsu, rakka-sei |
落花生 |
らっかせい |
Shrimp |
ebi |
海老 |
えび |
Wheat |
ko-mugi |
小麦 |
こむぎ |
20 Non-Mandatory Allergens
English |
Japanese |
Common Spelling |
Abalone |
awabi |
あわび |
Apple |
ringo |
りんご |
Banana |
banana |
バナナ |
Beef |
gyu-niku |
牛肉 |
Cashew nut |
kashu-natsu |
カシューナッツ |
Chicken |
tori-niku |
鶏肉 |
Gelatin |
zera-chin |
ゼラチン |
Kiwi |
kiwi-furutsu |
キウイフルーツ |
Mackerel |
saba |
さば |
Matsutake mushroom |
matsutake |
まつたけ |
Orange |
orenji |
オレンジ |
Peach |
momo |
もも |
Pork |
buta-niku |
豚肉 |
Salmon |
sake / shake |
さけ |
Salmon roe |
ikura |
いくら |
Sesame |
goma |
ごま |
Soybean |
daizu |
大豆 |
Squid |
ika |
いか |
Walnut |
kurumi |
くるみ |
Yam |
yama-imo |
やまいも |
Deciphering Japanese food labels
The above photo is from an excellent vegan-focused guide on food labelling: https://thejapaneserose.com/reading-japanese-food-labels-as-a-vegan/
- Not all foods have an allergen chart - typically this is most common on foods sold in convenience stores (konbini) - but applicable allergens will ALWAYS be declared in the ingredeint list (typically at the end but sometimes after the allergenic ingredient).
- Google Translate camera scan tools can be used nowadays (particularly if you dont speak Japanese), but it is essential to recognize the kanji as the app mthejapaneserose.com/reading-japanese-food-labels-as-a-vegan/ay not always translate every ingredient. If you do use Google Translate, make sure to hold your phone parallel to the packaging to help it scan correctly.
- Beware of cross contamination (or may contain) statements - the text can be small and easy to miss. There are two kinds of statements: 'manufactured on shared equipment' or 'produced in a facility that handles allergen'' (本品製造工場ではallergenを含む製品を製造しています) Both should be avoided to ensure your safety.