Japan Tobacco Not to Withdraw From Frozen Food Biz

Tokyo, Feb. 7 (Jiji Press)–Japan Tobacco Inc. will not withdraw from its frozen food business despite food poisoning caused by the group’s pesticide-tainted frozen “gyoza” dumplings imported from China, a company executive said Thursday.

Japan Tobacco has no plans to quit the frozen food business, Vice President Munetaka Takeda told a news conference, explaining that the group will continue to place its emphasis on the sector as a pillar of the group’s entire food operations.

The food poisoning incident may hurt confidence in Japan Tobacco, Takeda said. He reiterated that the company will work toward restoring that confidence.

Japan Tobacco will make additional efforts to ensure speedy recalls of problem foods and strengthen its fact-finding and products inspection capabilities, he said.

Because of the food poisoning, Japan Tobacco and Nissin Food Products Co. have cancelled a plan to integrate their frozen food businesses into Katokichi Co. , which recently became a subsidiary of Japan Tobacco.END

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