The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has issued a business improvement order to the Japan Grain Inspection Association, saying that it has neglected the inspection stipulated by law for imported rice for at least four years, and demanded that it be thoroughly prevented from recurrence.
The business improvement order was received by the Japan Grain Inspection Association in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, which evaluates the quality and safety of agricultural products.
The Japan Grain Inspection Association inspects rice imported by trading companies for quality and foreign matter, and issues certificates.
However, when the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries received a report from the association and conducted an on-site investigation, it was found that the Kansai Kobe branch of Kobe City and the Chubu branch of Nagoya City had accumulated 670,000 tons of imported rice for at least four years. It turns out that he had neglected the necessary analysis to see if it was contaminated.
In response to the investigation so far, the association explained that the inspection was neglected due to the failure of the machine at the Kansai Kobe branch, so the inspector recognized that it was an inappropriate act, but the numerical value was calculated. It means that the stated certificate was issued.
On the 21st, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries issued a business improvement order to the Japan Grain Inspection Association, taking measures to prevent recurrence, and requesting that it be reported by the 21st of next month.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, even if sediment is mixed in at the inspection stage of the association, it will not affect the rice sold because it is cleaned by wholesalers.