Best-before dates for pork products to be extended in Japan
Low pork consumption in Japan is forcing the local producers to focus on the export markets in order to protect their businesses.
Nevertheless, there is a problem with best-before dates of domestic pork products that are making Japanese pork uncompetitive abroad. Since 1995, Japan has imposed a best-before date of 20 days for widely traded vacuum-packed products that need to be preserved at zero degrees, which is shorter when compared to the United States or Canadian products.
According to Japan Times magazine, the agriculture and health ministries, related organizations and other groups will set up a study panel to draw up a report on the issue, possibly before the end of this summer.
The new markets targeted by Japanese pork producers are Europe and North America. "Extending best-before dates will make distribution by ship more active", declared one official source. For now, the best-before dates set 23 years ago is limiting the exports to Hong Kong and Singapore as main markets in the area.
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