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TOKYO - A public health centre in Japan said Friday it had found a toxic chemical in four products made by one of the country's leading food makers, which had earlier issued a recall as a precaution.
Marudai Food Co recalled more than 300,000 buns and other products last week fearing contamination by tainted Chinese milk.
The four tainted products are: Gratin Crepe Corn ready meals, Cream Panda and Matcha Azuki Milk Man sweet buns for consumers and Cream Panda buns for commercial use, according to the public health center in Osaka Prefecture, Kyodo News reported.
Marudai said no consumers have complained of illness after eating its products, Kyodo reported.
Melamine, an industrial chemical normally used to make plastics, was discovered in one of the products, a company official said, adding that there were no reports of health problems from consumers.
The Japanese government has ordered firms that import dairy products from China to test them for melamine.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare order requires importers to test their goods at registered inspection institutions. Violators could face up to one year in prison or fines of up to one million yen (9,400 dollars), Jiji reported.
Food safety has become a major political issue in Japan. Ten people suffered pesticide poisoning in December and January, and thousands of others reported feeling sick after eating frozen dumplings imported from China.
Asia's largest economy imports 60 percent of its food, the highest rate of any rich country.
- AFP /ls
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