Photo by Michael Stern
Have you ever taken a good look at food labels with descriptions about ingredients? It is a very important piece of information for those who have allergies to check whether they can safely consume the food stuff. This article explains how to decipher food labels written in Japanese.
What is food allergy?
If you have a food allergy, it causes an immunological reaction when you consume a particular ingredient you are allergic to. Allergy can often occur suddenly, even when you have not had been affected before or when you have never diagnosed as having one.
What kind of condition a food allergy can cause?
It may take between a few minutes to a few hours from the consumption of a particular ingredient for the reaction to happen.
The symptoms include:
- Itching
- Pain/ache
- Rash
- Swelling
- Difficulty to breathe
- Change in the colour of the lips
- Skin turning red
Severe reaction is called ‘anaphylactic shock’, which is a medical emergency that can be fatal.
- Asthma
- Feeling sick (nausea) or vomiting
- Abdominal pain or diarrhoea
- A sudden drop in blood pressure
- Unconsciousness
How to read food labels
Seven specific raw materials
In Japan, food manufacturers are obliged to display seven specific raw materials that can cause severe allergic reaction on the food labels wherever they are contained.
| Kanji | Kana | English |
| 卵 | たまご・タマゴ | Egg |
| 小麦 | こむぎ・コムギ | Wheat |
| 海老 | えび・エビ | Shrimp |
| 蟹 | かに・カニ | Crab |
| 蕎麦 | そば・ソバ | Buckwheat |
| 落花生 | らっかせい・ラッカセイ | Peanut |
| 乳 | にゅう・ニュウ | Milk |
20 raw materials
There are 20 more ingredients which are recommended for food manufacturers to display. However, these are not mandatory, enforced by law. If you are in doubt, you have to contact the manufacturer to request further information.
| Kanji | Kana | English |
| 鮑 | あわび・アワビ | Abalone |
| 烏賊 | いか・イカ | Squid |
| - | いくら・イクラ | Salmon Roe |
| - | オレンジ | Orange |
| - | カシューナッツ | Cashew nut |
| - | キウイフルーツ | Kiwi |
| 牛肉 | ぎゅうにく・ギュウニク | Beef |
| 胡桃 | くるみ・クルミ | Walnut |
| 胡麻 | ごま・ゴマ | Sesame |
| 鮭 | さけ・サケ | Salmon |
| 鯖 | さば・サバ | Mackerel |
| 大豆 | だいず・ダイズ | Soybean |
| 鶏肉 | とりにく・トリニク | Chicken |
| - | バナナ | Banana |
| 豚肉 | ぶたにく・ブタニク | Pork |
| 松茸 | まつたけ・マツタケ | Matsutake mushroom |
| 桃 | もも・モモ | Peach |
| 山芋 | やまいも・ヤマイモ | Yam or sweet potato |
| 林檎 | りんご・リンゴ | Apple |
| - | ゼラチン | Gelatin |
Some exceptions where seven specific raw materials can be omitted from food labels
There are some exceptions where the seven specific raw materials can be omitted from food labels.
- Products that are wrapped on purchase.
Eg. Bread and pastry from a bakery - Products sold by weight or items made by order.
Eg. Boxed lunch assembled on order - Products whose surface is less than 30 square centimetres.
Food labels may not be even obligatory in these cases. If you are not sure, ask the shop assistant as you place an order and explain your needs.
When you still had an allergic reaction…
If you still happen to have an allergic reaction, then go to the hospital or call the ambulance. Follow this link to find the emergency contacts where they speak English.
