MCT Oil Quality and Labeling Standard
JHFC-S-042 Enacted: 7 September 2026 / Effective: the same day
Japan Certified Health Food Council (JHFC) — English translation of the standard. In case of discrepancy the Japanese text prevails. Japanese original
Japan Certified Health Food Council (JHFC)
Enacted: 7 September 2026 / Effective: the same day
Preamble (Rationale for Enactment)
For MCT oil, fatty acid chain length and triglyceride composition are central to the description of quality. Information that an oil contains medium-chain fatty acids does not necessarily establish that the entire oil can be quantified as MCT. Powdered raw materials also include the weight of the carrier. This Standard is established to verify separately the name of the raw material oil, fatty acid composition, and the amount of MCT in the product.
Article 1 (Purpose)
This Standard establishes a fixed scope of fatty acids and glycerides included in MCT calculations and makes the labeling of oils that have undergone fractionation, reconstitution, and powdering traceable. On the basis of the five criteria of JHFC-A-001, it supplements verification requirements for using fatty acid ratios to calculate oil amounts.
Article 2 (Scope)
This Standard applies to triglyceride raw materials composed of medium-chain fatty acids and edible liquid oils, capsules, emulsions, and powders formulated with them. Unfractionated coconut oil and similar oils shall not be classified as MCT oil on the basis of their names alone. Oils containing medium-chain and long-chain fatty acids in the same molecule, free fatty acids, and mono- and diglycerides shall be distinguished from the portion included in MCT calculations.
Article 3 (Terms and Definitions)
- 1. Scope of MCT calculation: The types of medium-chain fatty acids included and the range of triglyceride fractions composed of those fatty acids.
- 2. Chain length composition: The constituent proportions stated by fatty acid, such as caprylic acid and capric acid.
- 3. Glyceride composition: The composition of an oil distinguishing triglycerides, diglycerides, and monoglycerides.
- 4. Mixed medium- and long-chain molecule: A molecule in which medium-chain and long-chain fatty acids are bound to the same glycerol backbone.
Article 4 (Requirements)
1. Quality Requirements—Identification of Chain Lengths and Glycerides
The scope of MCT calculation shall be listed in the raw material specifications, and chain length composition and glyceride composition shall each be verified. Where mixed medium- and long-chain molecules may be present, the MCT amount shall not be determined solely from the overall fatty acid ratios, and documentation identifying the molecular composition shall be available. The business operator shall establish specifications for the relevant fractions, purity, and other oil constituents, and shall provide analysis of the constituents as supporting evidence.
2. Quality Requirements—Manufacturing Control of Fractionation and Reactions
The origin of the raw material oil and details of hydrolysis, distillation fractionation, esterification, or transesterification performed shall be recorded. For reaction steps, the addition and removal of catalysts, enzymes, and glycerol shall be traced. Changes in chain length composition shall be verified when switching distillation fractions, and the destination to which reprocessed oil is returned shall also be recorded. Correspondence with the raw material name shall be reviewed using the process flow chart and test results for each distillation fraction.
3. Quality Requirements—Residues and Powdering
Free fatty acids, residual glycerol, moisture, and process-derived residues shall be considered for inclusion in quality control. For powdered products, the carrier amount and oil retention shall be examined, and the mass balance shall be verified, including oil exposed at the surface and separated oil. The business operator shall present specifications and the basis for assessment, and shall link emulsification and drying conditions, microbiological control, and the amount of oil recovered from the product to manufacturing records.
4. Testing—Limits of Applicability of Fatty Acid Analysis
Analysis by chain length and verification of the composition necessary for MCT calculation shall be conducted by a third-party institution. For methods involving conversion to fatty acid esters before measurement, the extent to which the original bonding state can be determined from the values obtained after conversion shall be clearly stated. Extraction recovery from powders and emulsions shall be validated, and the institution name, method, sample stage, relevant lot, conversion method, and contact point for inquiries about results shall be disclosed.
5. Labeling Requirements—MCT Amount and Fatty Acid Ratios
The MCT amount corresponding to the recommended daily intake shall be stated, and the range of fatty acids included in the calculation shall be explained. Ratios of fatty acids such as caprylic acid and capric acid shall be accompanied by a statement of whether they represent proportions of the fatty acids or of the entire oil. The input amount of powdered raw material shall be distinguished from the MCT amount. Constituent names shall be provided alongside chain length abbreviations, without reliance on the abbreviations alone, and analytical values, oil recovery yields, and labeling calculations shall be cross-checked.
6. Storage Requirements—Containers and Separation
Moisture ingress into liquid oils, leakage from containers, and acid value and similar parameters during storage shall be verified. Emulsified and powdered products shall be examined to determine whether separation or caking causes bias in an individual portion taken. The business operator shall establish storage specifications and shelf life for each product form with supporting evidence, and shall label instructions for keeping the pouring spout clean, tight closure, and handling after opening. Test results for the raw material oil alone shall not be used as the basis for storage of powdered products.
7. Precautions for Intake
Labeling shall not make a blanket statement that the product is suitable for the same heating applications as other edible oils; cooking or mixing methods verified for the product shall be provided. The recommended amount measured using measuring utensils shall be clearly stated, and expressions encouraging users to add further amounts at their own discretion shall be avoided. Persons undergoing treatment or taking medication shall be advised to consult a physician. Where carriers derived from milk or similar materials are used, the precautionary labeling for those raw materials shall also be compared with the formulation table.
8. Documentation Management
The [substance naming information for medium-chain triglycerides](https://precision.fda.gov/ginas/app/ui/substances/5d795444-a78c-4259-9a53-5f4b0f8e552c) shall be consulted, and its correspondence with the business operator's scope of MCT calculation shall be retained. Results for each distillation fraction, glyceride analyses, and recovery tests for powders shall be indexed. A retention period shall be established, and when the range of chain lengths included is changed, the labeling calculations for earlier products shall remain traceable.
Article 5 (Evaluation Categories)
- Conformity: All requirements are satisfied, and the labeled MCT amount can be explained on the basis of chain lengths, bonding states, and the oil mass balance in powders.
- Partial conformity: MCT calculation and residue control are established, and corrective action is scheduled for deficiencies such as the public index of analytical documentation.
- Nonconformity: The medium-chain fatty acid ratio alone is treated as the MCT amount, unfractionated oil is included in its entirety, or carrier weight cannot be deducted.
Article 6 (Implementation)
A self-declaration of conformity shall be made with the scope of MCT calculation attached. The Council shall verify the chain length composition and original bonding state of the oil covered by the application. Reassessment shall be conducted when distillation fractions, reaction conditions, or powder carriers change, and consistency between the fractions included in the calculation and labeling used for sale shall be reviewed during periodic checks.
Supplementary Provisions
This Standard shall take effect on 7 September 2026. Inquiries concerning composition shall specify the denominator of the fatty acid proportions.
※ This Standard sets out evaluation criteria for information disclosure and quality management practices and does not guarantee the effects, efficacy, or safety of individual products.