Japan¡¯s Consumer Affairs Agency said Tuesday that it has certified four food banks, which collect surplus food from companies and others to offer free supplies to organizations working to support people in need.
It is the first time that food banks have been recognized under the country¡¯s certification program launched by the government in April.
The four are Second Harvest Japan in Tokyo; Food Bank Yamanashi in the city of Minami Alps, Yamanashi Prefecture; Food Bank Kansai in Kobe; and Food Bank Fukuoka in the city of Fukuoka.
In Japan¡¯s food industry there is a business practice called the ¡°one-third rule,¡± in which food-makers are required to deliver products to stores before more than one-third of the period from the production date to the best-before date passes. The rule has been cited as one of the factors behind food loss in the country.
Promoting donations to food banks is expected to help reduce food waste.
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised over risks such as food poisoning and the resale of donated food items.
The government introduced the certification program in response to such concerns. Under the program, the consumer agency¡¯s secretariat inspects food banks¡¯ control and hygiene systems through application documents and on the ground.
¡°We hope that the certification system will further promote efforts to reduce food loss and facilitate food donations,¡± Hitoshi Kikawada, minister for consumer affairs and food safety, told a news conference.
¡°This certification enhances the credibility of (our operations),¡± Second Harvest Japan CEO Yuji Shibata said. ¡°We will continue appropriately managing food items and delivering them (to people in need),¡± he added.
An official of Food Bank Kansai described the certification as a fresh start for its activities.
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