CAN EAT Immediately Responds to Revised List of 29 Allergen Items, Supports Safe Labeling Transition with Training for Food Service and Manufacturers

CAN EAT Inc. (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director CEO: Eri Tagahara) has, effective immediately upon announcement, added items corresponding to cashew nuts and pistachios to the hearing items and WEB allergy table search system of its food allergy support service "CAN EAT (Can Eat)" in response to the revision of the Food Labeling Act by the Consumer Affairs Agency (addition of cashew nuts to specific raw materials and pistachios to materials treated as specific raw materials).

» CAN EAT Service URL: https://biz.caneat.jp/

■ Overview

- Following the Consumer Affairs Agency's decision to add cashew nuts to specific raw materials (mandatory labeling) and pistachios to materials treated as specific raw materials (recommended labeling), the company immediately added these ingredients to the "AI Ingredient Tag" feature in its hearing items and WEB allergy table search system.

- This revision expands the scope of specific raw materials and related items from 28 to 29 (cashew nuts transition from recommended to mandatory, pistachios newly added).

- Support for risk management of processed goods during the labeling transition period has been initiated for food service operators. Leveraging insights from the macadamia nut and matsutake mushroom revision, the company will voluntarily provide lists of processed goods for which ingredient labels and specifications are not yet updated.

■ Background of Immediate Addition of "AI Ingredient Tag"

The Consumer Affairs Agency, based on the results of the "National Survey on Health Damage due to Immediate Food Allergies in FY Reiwa 6," decided to transition cashew nuts to specific raw materials (mandatory labeling) due to an increasing trend in reported cases that cannot be considered temporary. Pistachios, with their increasing import volume and emerging cases, were simultaneously added to materials treated as specific raw materials (recommended labeling).

CAN EAT completed its response immediately upon this announcement. The company's proprietary "AI Ingredient Tag" function automatically tags ingredients and products that may contain cashew nuts and pistachios, ensuring that food service operators can confirm them without oversight during allergy consultations.

■ Labeling Revision = "Switch Everything Immediately" is Dangerous

Simply switching allergy list items immediately after a labeling revision poses significant risks for food service operators.

Even after a revision is gazetted, it takes time for food manufacturers to update their ingredient labels and specifications. This is precisely why a grace period of two years is provided. If food service operators unilaterally declare "cashew nut対応済み" (cashew nut対応済み) on their lists while manufacturers' labeling has not caught up, there is a danger of mistakenly judging processed goods as "not containing" cashew nuts when their specifications have not yet been confirmed. CAN EAT considers this "labeling transition period" to be the riskiest phase and will conduct training as follows.

■ Seminar Announcement for Food Service and Accommodation Facilities Regarding Labeling Revision

The Japan Association for Food Service Allergy Response, of which CAN EAT is a founding member, will conduct training sessions to ensure safe on-site response for businesses in the food service, accommodation, wedding, and school trip sectors following this revision.

[For Food Service Operators] Joint Allergy Response Training Session for New Employees

Event Name: Basic of Basics: Joint Allergy Response Training Session for New Employees

Date & Time: Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 13:00- (Doors open 12:15)

Venue: GLOBIS Management School Tokyo (5-1 Nibancho, Chiyoda-ku) / Zoom Webinar

Speakers:

Mr. Takeshi Tada, Assistant Section Chief, Food Labeling Division, Consumer Affairs Agency

Mr. Shintaro Imamura, NPO Papa's Association for Allergy Kids

Shangri-La Tokyo (Customer Service Staff)

Food allergy sufferers (EpiPen carriers)

Ms. Eri Tagahara, Representative Director, Japan Association for Food Service Allergy Response, and others

Participation Fee:

Free for employees of regular members (no limit on number of participants)

Non-members: 7,000 JPY (incl. tax)

Details & Application: Please check at https://paaa.jp/

This can be used not only for new employee training but also as an opportunity to reconfirm the basics of allergy response upon this revision.

Furthermore, a training session targeting not only food service operators but also food manufacturers is scheduled for Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 13:00. Content will focus on practical aspects for manufacturers, such as updating specifications and ingredient labels due to the mandatory labeling of cashew nuts, and points to note during the grace period. Details, including the date, will be announced on the CAN EAT official website and press releases as they are finalized.

■ Achievements Since Macadamia Nut & Matsutake Mushroom Revision

Since the revision concerning macadamia nuts (addition to recommended items) and matsutake mushrooms (removal from recommended items) in March 2024, CAN EAT has recognized the importance of risk management during the labeling transition period and has voluntarily undertaken the following initiatives:

1. Monitoring Switching Status in the Food Service Market and Food Manufacturers

Continuously monitoring how much food manufacturers' ingredient labels and specifications have been updated after the revision.

2. Voluntary Distribution of a List of High-Risk Processed Goods

Creating and voluntarily distributing to existing food service clients a list of "high-risk processed goods containing macadamia nuts for which ingredient labels or specifications have not yet been updated."

3. Support for Appropriate Labeling Transition

Providing appropriate guidance to businesses on "when and at what timing" to switch their allergy lists, tailored to the manufacturers' response status.

Similar initiatives will be implemented for the current cashew nut and pistachio revision.

■ Overview of Food Allergy Labeling Revision (Reference)

*Cashew nuts have transitioned from "recommended" to "mandatory," with a grace period of two years from the effective date. Pistachios have been newly added as "recommended," with prompt transition encouraged.

■ About CAN EAT

With the mission "To make everyone's meals delicious, enjoyable, and healthy," CAN EAT Inc. develops and operates "CAN EAT," a service that supports food allergy responses with technology.

Company Name: CAN EAT Inc.

Representative: Eri Tagahara, Representative Director CEO

Head Office Location: 7-11, 14, Tenzin-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Established: April 1, 2019

Business Description: Development and operation of "CAN EAT"

Official Website: https://about.caneat.jp

Inquiries about Service: https://about.caneat.jp/contact-2/