Mos Burger

May 6, 2015

Mos Burger denies speculation its foods use radiation-tainted sauces

By Stephanie Chao, The China Post
May 6, 2015, 12:03 am TWN

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2015/05/06/435318/Mos-Burger.htm

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Mos Burger announced yesterday that their chili sauce powder and spice mix meat sauce both originate from Saitama Prefecture (埼玉縣) and Tokyo, respectively, shooting down media speculation that the popular Japanese fast-food chain has been importing sauces from radiation-stricken areas.

In response to the findings of a Ministry of Health and Welfare (MHW, 衛福部) investigation, and subsequent media reports, Mos Burger said that the two sauces were handled by an affiliate, Magic Food Mos Food Industry (Magic Food, 魔術食品). It imported Mos Burger's chili sauce powder from Green Spice Seasoning in Saitama, while the spice mix meat sauce was produced at the Tokyo-based Maruta Food System.

The popular fast-food chain stated that the sauces were not imported from radiation-stricken areas. Mos Burger's statement also claimed the company had always adhered to the MHW's Food Sanitation and Safety standards when inspecting its suppliers.

The MHW's Food and Drugs Administration (FDA, 食藥署) said that Magic Food had been importing its “No Brand Sauce” from at least one of the five radiation-stricken Japanese prefectures last month. 504 kilograms of goods were stopped at customs and did not make it onto shelves, according to the FDA's report.

The FDA's report into food products that breach safety regulations said that Magic Food has been importing the two sauces, which were produced by Kohbai Foods (紅梅食品工業). While Kohbai Foods labeled its products as “Originating in Tokyo,” FDA officials discovered that the factory is actually located in Tochigi Prefecture (櫪木縣), one of the prefectures restricted by Taiwan.

Health officials deemed that Magic Foods had provided false customs declarations, and have to decided to impose a fine on the company, which they said will range between NT$30,000 and NT$3 million.

The FDA also announced that all Japanese food imports will need to include official origin statements starting from May 15. This is in response to a previous food scandal, when Japanese food products were found to have been imported from radiation-stricken areas in the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.