Sagamihara Food Firm Accused of Falsely Labeling Foreign Meat as Domestic

In a stunning case of food fraud, Kotobuki Foods, a meat processing company in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa, faces allegations of mislabeling foreign meat as domestic.

This shocking revelation has sparked concerns about consumer trust and food labeling integrity in Japan.

A Decade-Long Deception Exposed

The company’s former president, Toshihiro Kajima, 63, along with five associates, has been arrested for violating Japan’s Unfair Competition Prevention Act.

Authorities allege the group labeled imported pork and chicken as “domestic” to win contracts with school lunch centers and businesses.

During questioning, Kajima admitted, “I’ve been doing this for more than 10 years.” He explained, “I didn’t want to be eliminated from bidding because domestic products were expensive. I did it for the company’s survival by making profits.”

Between September and October 2023, Kotobuki Foods delivered approximately 1,770 kilograms of mislabeled meat to 13 school lunch centers and businesses in Kanagawa and Tokyo.

These products falsely claimed to originate from Japan’s Kanto region, despite actually coming from countries like Thailand, Canada, Spain, and Mexico.

Inspection Unveils Fraudulent Practices

The fraud came to light during an unannounced inspection by the Kawasaki City Board of Education in October 2023. Investigators discovered that Kotobuki Foods used misleading certificates and labels to mask the meat’s true origins.

The following month, police raided the company and seized documents confirming the deception.

Public Outcry and Legal Consequences

Kotobuki Foods, now undergoing bankruptcy proceedings, faces significant legal and public scrutiny. The scandal has prompted calls for stricter regulations to protect consumers and uphold transparency in the food industry.

This case serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of honest practices in public supply chains, particularly for institutions like schools. Authorities vow to ensure such deceptions don’t repeat.

Explore the impact of mislabeled meat on public institutions—visit our homepage for updates on food safety and regulatory measures.