冷凍野菜輸入企業による残留農薬事件への対応

抄録

Food importing companies in Japan have incurred significant damage due to the pesticide residue problem of 2002. These damages include a decrease in import levels of whole frozen vegetables, especially from China, together with lower retail rates and higher import costs arising from stricter inspections. In response, importing companies have undertaken three measures: a shift of product supply source from China to other countries; selection of alternative vegetable items; application of more control on China suppliers than before. However, while Japanese importing companies have made efforts to develop alternative supplying sources, they still focus on China as a main supplier of frozen vegetable. Thus it is important to note that in 2006, Japan will introduce a positive list for pesticide usage, making it necessary for Chinese suppliers to strengthen their quality control system further.