Maker admits using nonedible rice in food

A maker of rice products in Osaka sold nonedible rice imported from China, Vietnam and other countries containing a higher-than-allowed level of pesticide residue for edible use despite a government ban, the farm ministry said Friday.

The Osaka-based company, Mikasa Foods, also sold products processed from the rice, including "shochu" distilled alcoholic beverages and rice crackers, the ministry said.

The ministry said it has ordered the company to recover the rice and processed products.

The company purchased the imported rice from the government on condition it not be used for edible purposes due to higher-than-allowed levels of pesticide residue and a toxic material called aflatoxin.

Under international trade rules, Japan is obliged to buy a certain amount of foreign rice in order to maintain its high tariffs on the product.

Mikasa Foods purchased a total of around 1,800 tons of imported rice from the government. Aflatoxin was detected in about 3 tons of the imported rice from Vietnam and purchased from the government in fiscal 2004, the ministry said.

Mikasa Foods President Mitsuo Fuyuki admitted to the ministry that he was aware his company used the rice for edible products.

Although the ministry said there have been no reports of health hazards in connection with the situation, the revelation is likely to fuel food safety concerns among consumers.

Some portion of the rice imported from China and sold to Mikasa Foods contained a toxic organophosphate pesticide called methamidophos, which was also found in imported frozen "gyoza" dumplings from China that led to food poisoning outbreaks in both countries.

The rice laced with methamidophos was sold for making rice crackers and Japanese confectionery as well as products produced with the rice, the ministry said.

The tainted rice and products produced with the rice are believed to have been distributed to five alcoholic beverage makers in southwestern Japan after being shipped from storage facilities of Mikasa Foods in Fukuoka Prefecture, the ministry said.