The report, titled “In-depth Analysis report on FFCs notified in FY2023”, was produced by Japan-based nutraceutical consultancy firm Smooth Link Inc. In FY2023, 1,443 Foods with Function Claims (FFCs) were notified to the Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA), the authority overseeing the FFC system. This was slightly higher than the 1,429 cases notified in the previous year.
Regarding product categories, dietary supplements accounted for 55.6% of the total, processed foods accounted for 41.6%, and fresh foods accounted for the remainder.
Notably, the number of FFCs claiming to support femcare increased from six in FY2015 to 58 in FY2023. For instance, the first FFC related to Lactobacillus GR-1 ( ) and Lactobacillus RC-14 ( ) was filed in January 2021 for their ability to promote a favourable vaginal environment and vaginal conditioning. To date, nine such products have been marketed by eight companies.
Prominent industry names have also entered the market. In July 2023, an FFC was notified by Asahi Group Foods, Ltd. for CP2305 to support “the ability to reduce temporary premenstrual dysphoric mood, mental fatigue, and drowsiness in healthy women with a normal menstrual cycle”.
In December of the same year, Tokiwa Ltd. filed an FFC containing Apocynum venetum-derived hyperoside and isoquercitin with a health claim that it “helps improve the temporary premenstrual dysphoric mood in healthy adult women with regular menstrual cycles”. Such first-mover products wil.