End of nuclear conflict? China may reopen doors to Japanese seafood imports
China is warming to the idea of welcoming Japanese seafood imports back after two years of tension over the nuclear wastewater release saga
Japan and China have been at odds over the former’s decision to release treated nuclear wastewater into the ocean in 2023.
The wastewater was the result of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, and led to the Chinese government imposing an outright ban on Japanese seafood imports in addition to a public condemnation of Japan being ‘selfish’ and harming global public health.
Close to two years on, China appears to have softened its stance, evidenced by a joint announcement made by the General Administration of Customs China (GACC) and Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).
Vietnam launches food safety checks on large scale MSG, oil adulteration
Vietnam is undertaking a series of food safety inspections across the country after initial checks found large scale adulteration in collective kitchens.
Multiple spot checks have unfortunately revealed the production of adulterated food items that were being sent to and used in collective kitchens throughout the country, a disturbing discovery due to the large number of consumers served by these establishments.
One of the most severely products found to be adulterated has been monosodium glutamate (MSG) from local MSG manufacturer Famimoto Vietnam, which markets itself as ‘Vietnam’s leading MSG brand, Japanese technology’.
“The Vietnam Food Administration (VFA) recently received information about the discovery of fake MSG products in Phu Tho province, which were manufactured by Famimoto Vietnam,” VFA Deputy Director Do Huu Tuan said in a formal statement.
CP Foods sees ‘optimistic’ 2025 ahead after 642% profits surge
CP Foods is confident its ongoing local production strategy will boost FY2025 sales even amidst ongoing uncertainties, after seeing a 642% surge in profits in Q1
Thailand-based CP Foods is one of the largest food companies in the world, best known for its ready-to-cook (RTC) meat and poultry product brands such as CP in Asia and Authentic Asia in western markets.
The company recently announced its Q1FY2025 financial results, reporting a 3% year-on-year growth in revenue to THB144.2m (US$4.37bn) and a 642% leap in year-on-year net profits to THB8.55bn (US$258.6m).
The company partially attributed the mega leap in profits to the rise of animal agriculture diseases such as African Swine Fever (ASF) in other international supply chains in the past year, but CP Foods CEO Prasit Boondoungprasert highlighted this achievement as a strong, optimistic sign for the company in the upcoming year.
FSANZ proposes stricter egg safety rules to prevent Salmonella outbreak
Stricter monitoring, clearer traceability, and tighter temperature controls are among new egg safety measures proposed in New Zealand in response to rising Salmonella risks.
A 2018–19 outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) linked to eggs, resulting in 245 reported illnesses across four states, prompted the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to review egg safety measures.
The food authority found that current safeguards are inadequate to manage the risks posed by SE and other Salmonella strains, and is therefore proposing amendments to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.
India’s quest to quash misleading food labels hinges on consumer awareness
India’s food safety regulator has launched a digital tool for consumers to report misleading food labels — but experts warn that its impact may be hampered by limited public awareness
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has rolled out a digital reporting mechanism that allows consumers to file complaints about misleading claims on food packaging.
Former FSSAI director Pradip Chakraborty welcomed the FSSAI’s move to empower consumers to report misleading food labels but stressed that its success hinges on public awareness.
He pointed out that general consumer awareness is still lacking, with only a small and relatively literate section of the population paying attention to food labels or regulations.