June 2, 2010
Japan and China seal food safety pact
Officials from Japan and China reached a bilateral agreement Monday (May 31) to improve safety standards of food imports and restore confidence.
Under the pact authorities from both states are permitted to inspect one another's processing facilities when concerns are raised over the safety of imported food products.
The document follows the 2007/08 dumplings scandal when 10 Japanese fell ill after eating pesiticide-tainted gyoza dumplings imported from China.
The countries have pledged to hold annual meetings and will form an action plan on food safety to resolve issues quickly and effectively.
