Japan Rejects 82 Batches of Imported Foods in June 2022

According to the latest MHLW notification, 82 batches of food products imported from 28 countries were found non-compliant in June 2022. Among these products, the most non-compliant imported food in June came from China (23%), followed by America (17%). The agricultural products (mostly fruits and vegetables) are still the majority of the overall rejections.

The major reasons for the import rejection were:

• Detection of toxic or harmful substances (31.71%)

• Detection of microbial contamination (23.17%)

• Incorrect use of additives (15.85%)

Notably

A total of 14 batches products failed the import due to unqualified food additives. Among them, seven batches used unpermitted additives (E.g TBHQ, pentane), the rest of them failed for exceeding the use of food additives. 

For example:

• Sorbic acid (food preservative)

According to Japan's Standards for the use of Food Additives, the maximum addition amount of Sorbic acid in fruit wine is 0.20g/kg. As per the latest notification, the content of Sorbic acid in three batches of wine imported by North Macedonia was found to be 0.22g/kg, 0.28g/kg and 0.30g/kg respectively.

• Sodium benzoate (food preservative)

In June, a seasoning product imported from Taiwan, China failed to enter the Japanese market due to excessive use of sodium benzoate in soy sauce which was one of the raw materials in the seasoning product. It is stipulated that the addition amount of sodium benozoate in soy sauce shall not exceed 0.60g/kg.