Japanese retailer Lawson is reportedly planning to stop using synthetic seasonings in around 160 processed food items sold at its convenience stores nationwide.

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The move, aimed at reducing consumer concerns about food safety, will ban monosodium glutamate (MSG), citric acid and sweeteners such as saccharin, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported, citing company sources.


All artificial seasonings that have to be labelled under the Food Sanitation Law will be removed, the sources said.


Lawson is to ask around 110 major food processors to use natural seasonings that are classified in Japan as foods, the Nikkei Report said.

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