Fujiya’s Drinks Reappear at Vending Machines

Tokyo, March 19 (Jiji Press)–Fujiya Co.’s beverage products including Nectar juices and Lemon Squash soda reappeared at vending machines Monday, marking the first sales resumption of Fujiya products since a food safety scandal at the confectionery maker came to light in January.

Sapporo Holdings Ltd. , the exclusive sales agent for Fujiya drinks, resumed sales of seven types of Fujiya-brand drinks at about 10 pct of its vending machines totaling some 50,000 units.

The major beverage maker decided to restart sales based on consumer requests and discussions with Fujiya, a spokesperson said.

Many retailers, however, do not plan to recommence sales of Fujiya-made drinks until they decide to start handling the company’s sweets again, the Sapporo spokesperson said.

Sapporo suspended sales of Fujiya-brand beverages on Feb. 1, as retailers removed Fujiya products from their store shelves after one of the confectionery maker’s plants was found to have used old milk to make cream puffs.

Fujiya, which resumed production early this month, plans to restart selling cakes, sold through franchised outlets, on Friday and chocolates, candies and other sweets via retailers on March 27.END

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