Japan Bans Nicky Foods' Products Imported From China

The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry in Japan has ordered a ban on “Nicky Foods” products imported from China. The move comes after they found elevated levels of pesticides in frozen food. The products in question had been sold to members of a coop union in Kanagawa, Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures (states) before the contaminants were discovered. The product was recalled and the majority was collected before being sold to the public 
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This is the third incident involving pesticide contamination since the beginning of the year. The latest round of product recalls come shortly after the Chinese government announced that a campaign to eliminate all non-food materials from there food products was a success. 

Osaka, based Nicky Foods said the products were manufactured by there subsidiary in China, Shandong Renmu Food Co, and imported by there trading division, Nicky Trading Company. The recall was ordered after officials detected 1.2 parts per million of phorate (organophosphate pesticide) in the products, the acceptable level for humans is .03 ppm. 

In late December and early January 10 people became ill after eating gyoza" dumpling, manufactured by Tianyang Food in Hebei Province China, bringing the contamination to the attention of authorities. An additional 286 people received medical treatment after consuming the dumplings. Police found 1-mm. holes in the front and back of at least one package leading them to believe the contamination may have been intentional. "Nikuman" buns and dim sum were also recalled after elevated levels of pesticides were found. 

The Chinese General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine told the government owned China Daily that “The contamination is likely to have been caused by loopholes in the producers' purchase of raw materials such as vegetables," placing blame on Japan based Nicky Foods and their subsidiaries. They also pointed out that both manufactures, although located in China are wholly owned subsidiaries of Nicky Foods. 

China has also suspended exports from Wangyu Aquatic Food Company after they discovered similar contaminants in frozen mackerel that was to be exported to Japan. Chinese official say that they tested samples from the plant including packaging materials and found no evidence of the pesticide. Officials also said that the only seasoning provided by the Chinese plant was salt, and again pointed out that this is a Japanese funded facility. 

China has sent Wu Guoqing, top criminal investigator, and toxicologist Wang Guiqiang to aid in the investigation into the source of the contamination.