In Part 1 of this series, we explained how to identify the list of ingredients on packaging and how to use Google Translate to change it to your native language.

Here in Part 2, we’ll explain Japanese allergen labeling procedures and how to find them on packaging.

The Allergens and how to find them

Luckily the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) has created regulations for listing certain allergens on packaged food. Unfortunately this doesn’t specifically include gluten, but it still makes life a bit easier knowing which products contain wheat.

According to the regulations, there are 7 top allergens that are mandatory to be labeled on packaging. They are: Wheat, Shrimp, Egg, Buckwheat, Milk, Peanut, and Crab.

Allergen	Kanji	Alternative Writings	Tips
Wheat	小麦	こむぎ、コムギ、 小麦粉、こむぎ胚芽	NOT INCLUDING: Rye ライ麦 Malt 麦芽 Barley 大麦 Oats オーツ麦
Shrimp	えび	海老、エビ
Egg	卵	玉子、たまご、タマゴ、エッグ、鶏卵、あひる卵、うずら卵
Buckwheat	そば	ソバ 、 そばがき、そば粉
Milk	乳	ミルク、バター、バターオイル、チーズ、アイスクリーム
Peanut	落花生	ピーナッツ
Crab	かに	蟹、カニ

As you can see, wheat is mandatory to list BUT NOT rye, malt, barley, or oats.

So even though we can identify common allergens, that doesn’t mean we can identify gluten.

What to look out for

Along with the 7 mandatory allergens, there are 20 “suggested” allergens that companies may also list on packaging. Together that makes 27 allergens that are often referred to on packaging in a group.

There are THREE ways that companies may identify allergens on packaging.

Noticing the difference may help save some extra time at the supermarket so you can gfto and enjoy, well, not being at the supermarket.

1. Single Ingredient

Companies may list allergens after each ingredient.

For example, on this package of chicken bullion, it clearly lists (soy, pork, dairy, and wheat) after the ingredient “chicken extract.”

2. All Ingredients

Possibly the most common way companies list allergens is at the end of a list of ingredients.

Many packages will add all the allergens at the end, similar to the US when it says “contains soy, wheat” at the bottom. In this example, after all the ingredients are listed it says (includes soy).

3. Dedicated Allergen Section

Many larger companies will often also include a section on the packaging that clearly lists any allergens in their food. This of course is according to the mandatory 7 or combined 27 allergens.

Finding this section on packages can save A LOT of time. Through the process of elimination, if you see wheat, PUT IT BACK ON THE SHELF. If you DON’T see wheat, do some more investigating.

This pack of curry lists the allergens at the end of the ingredients AND has a designated allergen section. These sections often say “of the 27 allergens, these are included in this package.” For this particular curry it lists wheat, dairy, beef, soy, chicken, apple, and gelatin.

WE KNOW. Just because it doesn’t have wheat, doesn’t mean it’s Gluten-Free

We know many people will be scratching their heads or will be upset because we’re teaching you how to find things you can’t even eat. BUT it does save a lot of time instantly eliminating what is off limits.

One way this labeling system is helpful is that most chain restaurants in Japan have pdf allergen menus somewhere hidden on their sites. One way we search for it is by searching “chain name アレルギーメニュー.”

So when you are out and about and pass the 100th Matsuya or Mos Burger, you may at least be able to find a meal that is WHEAT FREE.

This is where it is all up to your comfort level

We know each person living gluten-free has their own comfort level with what they will try or tolerate. This is especially true regarding cross contamination.

Most packaged food probably shares a factory or even a line with wheat/gluten. ALSO if you find allergen-free or gluten-free foods in a restaurant, they often share facilities and kitchens.

But we hope by giving you this information, you can all choose what you are comfortable with and hopefully make your stay a lot less of a hassle and more enjoyable.