Discover your next big idea at PACK EXPO Las Vegas this September
Experience a breakthrough in packaging & processing and transform your business with solutions from 2,300 suppliers spanning all industries.
REGISTER NOW & SAVE

Food labeling scandal rocks Japan

A series of food scandals, many of which involved misbranded or mislabeled products, has shaken the confidence of Japanese consumers.

A series of food scandals, many of which involved misbranded or mislabeled products, has shaken the confidence of Japanese consumers, according to a report in the Washington Post. Many Japanese have long believed that Japanese brands of food are superior, and even paid significantly higher prices for them. The scandals revealed everything from selling foreign foods under Japanese brand names to rebranding and selling food identified as unsafe. The Japanese reportedly no longer trust the information on food labels.

According to the article, consumers blame government regulators as well as businesses. Government labeling regulations generally favor business, and enforcement has been all but nonexistent. Falsifying labels, a felony in the United States, brings a maximum fine of $3꼲, which is waived if the company agrees to correct the problem under “administrative guidance” from the government. Whether FDA will screen imports of Japanese foods more carefully was not discussed in the article.

2024 PACK EXPO Innovations Reports
Exclusive access: Packaging World editor-curated reports revealing PACK EXPO's most groundbreaking technologies across food, healthcare, and machinery sectors. Each report features truly innovative solutions selected from hundreds of exhibitors by our expert team. Transform your operations with just one click.
Access Now
2024 PACK EXPO Innovations Reports
Coding, Marking, and Labeling Innovations Report
Explore our editor-curated report featuring cutting-edge coding, labeling, and RFID innovations from PACK EXPO 2024. Discover high-speed digital printing, sustainable label materials, automated labeling systems, and advanced traceability solutions that are transforming packaging operations across industries.
Access Report
Coding, Marking, and Labeling Innovations Report