#Japan #Minato-ku #Food labeling #IT Farbridge #Shirushi-san

An Innovative Step in Food Labeling: Introducing Shirushi-san

On July 21, 2026, IT Farbridge, a pioneering company based in Minato-ku, Tokyo, launched an innovative AI-driven food labeling system, Shirushi-san. This game-changing solution aims to simplify the complexities of food labeling, particularly the enforcement of allergen disclosures and the origin of raw materials, which have become increasingly stringent over the years.

Background: The Evolution of Food Labeling Regulations

The necessity of clear food labeling is paramount for consumer safety, especially concerning allergens. However, the rules have rapidly evolved:

• - April 2015: The enforcement of the Food Labeling Law unified multiple regulations.
• - April 2020: Mandatory nutrient labeling was introduced.
• - June 2021: Implementation of complete HACCP requirements.
• - April 2022: The obligation to declare the origin of primary ingredients was enforced across all processed foods.
• - April 2025: The inclusion of walnut as a regulated allergen.

Despite these improvements, a significant portion of the food manufacturing industry comprises small and medium enterprises that struggle to keep up with these changes. Many lack dedicated labeling departments, relying instead on spreadsheets, handwritten notes, and are often overwhelmed by staff shortages.

Identifying the Challenges

1. The Risks of Labeling Errors

Mistakes in food labeling can lead to serious health risks, including recalls and potential dangers to consumers. Omissions in allergen information could result in life-threatening situations. For small businesses, the financial impact of recalls and brand damage can be devastating.

2. Concentration of Expertise

The knowledge required for proper labeling—spanning food labeling laws, allergens, additives, nutritional calculations, and origin sources—is often confined to particular individuals, making resources scarce.

3. Complex Communication with Suppliers

Inconsistent formats and methods of communication (paper, Excel, emails) make managing product specifications chaotic, leading to ineffective version control amidst increasing submission requirements from partners.

4. Inefficiency and Human Error in Manual Processes

Creating food labels involves tedious manual tasks which can result in timing delays and errors. Regular updates necessitated by law changes add another layer of challenge.

Shirushi-san: A Cutting-edge Solution

Shirushi-san is designed to alleviate these burdens by providing a cloud-based service that reduces the input effort, minimizes the need for specialized knowledge, and lowers the risk of errors. Here are three core features:

Feature 1: Streamlined Ingredient Input

Using just a smartphone or tablet, users can take pictures of handwritten ingredient notes. Shirushi-san's AI reads and verifies these against registered allergen and additive databases. If a note is lengthy, multiple pictures can be captured, and the AI will consolidate them, allowing for immediate corrections to be made.

Feature 2: Comprehensive Label Creation

The system automatically generates compliant food labeling with necessary items and provides a real-time preview in various formats such as PDF or PNG. The capability to include barcodes and QR codes ensures comprehensive coverage of consumer needs.

Feature 3: Product Specification Management

Shirushi-san also facilitates the management of product spec sheets for different partners, addressing diverse dietary needs like vegan, infant nutrition, and allergy prevention. The system keeps updated records of legal changes and incidents.

Expert Insights and Future Directions

Shirushi-san is supported by Dr. Makoto Tajima, an agricultural expert with comprehensive backgrounds in food science and safety. His extensive experience ensures the system's efficacy in providing allergen assessment under established rules.

Company CEO Naoyuki Tohashi expressed his vision for the product, stating, "We aim to remove uncertainties from the labeling process to enhance food safety. Each detail matters in preventing health issues related to food inaccuracies."

Looking forward, Shirushi-san plans to expand its capabilities to include multi-language support, nutritional highlighting, and potential international expansion, continuously striving to deliver reliability in food labeling practices.

For more information, you can visit Shirushi-san's official service site and discovery site linked above.