Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormBotanical extract (powder or liquid)
Industry PositionBotanical extract ingredient for health foods and cosmetics
Market
Pennywort extract (Centella asiatica; commonly referred to as ツボクサ/“tsubokusa” in Japan ingredient markets) is positioned in Japan mainly as an input for downstream formulations in health foods and cosmetics/personal care. For import for sale or business use as a food/food-additive input, Japan requires an import notification to an MHLW Quarantine Station under the Food Sanitation Act, followed by document examination and, where applicable, inspection. If products are marketed with functional claims, Japan’s Foods with Function Claims framework allows such labeling after a pre-sale notification to the Consumer Affairs Agency, with responsibility for substantiation placed on the business (not government pre-approval). Cosmetic applications must align with Japan’s cosmetic standards framework and ingredient-labeling naming practices referenced by the Japan Cosmetic Industry Association.
Market RoleImport-dependent downstream manufacturing and consumer market
Domestic RoleDownstream formulation ingredient used by Japanese manufacturers and brand owners in health foods and cosmetics/personal care
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighIf pennywort extract is imported for sale or business use as a food ingredient or food additive input, failure to submit (or errors/inconsistencies in) the required Food Sanitation Act import notification to the MHLW Quarantine Station can block legal sale/use and can result in delays, inspection orders, or non-acceptance.Confirm intended end-use classification (food vs cosmetic), prepare an importer document checklist, and consult the responsible MHLW Quarantine Station in advance; submit the import notification before customs clearance is completed.
Food Safety MediumMHLW quarantine document examination and (when applicable) inspection may target compliance with manufacturing standards, additive standards, and hazardous substance concerns under the Food Sanitation Act; noncompliance can lead to rejection or required corrective actions.Align supplier specifications and CoA with Japanese importer requirements, and pre-check formulation/processing details that must be declared in the import notification.
Labeling And Claims MediumFor finished products marketed with functional claims, Japan’s Foods with Function Claims system is based on business notification and places responsibility on the business for appropriate labeling based on scientific evidence; over-claiming or misleading advertising can trigger enforcement and reputational damage.Use the Consumer Affairs Agency guidance and database process for Foods with Function Claims, and ensure claims match notified evidence and scope.
Cosmetics Compliance MediumFor cosmetic applications, compliance risk can arise if formulations do not align with Japan’s cosmetic standards framework (negative/positive list concepts) and ingredient labeling naming practices expected in the market.Validate intended cosmetic use against the applicable standards and align ingredient labeling with the JCIA naming conventions referenced by MHLW-related notifications.
FAQ
If pennywort extract is imported into Japan for use in food or supplements for sale, what is the key import step to avoid being blocked from selling it?For food/food-additive imports intended for sale or business use, the importer must submit an import notification to an MHLW Quarantine Station under the Food Sanitation Act; without this notification, the imported item must not be used for sale or business use. Japan Customs clearance then proceeds alongside the required documentation and any quarantine document examination/inspection steps.
Can a finished product in Japan make functional claims when it contains pennywort (Centella asiatica) extract?Japan’s Foods with Function Claims framework allows functional claims when the business files a pre-sale notification to the Consumer Affairs Agency under the system rules, and the business is responsible for appropriate labeling based on scientific evidence (it is not a government pre-approval). Whether a specific Centella-derived claim is acceptable depends on the notified evidence and labeling scope used by the business.