Food Contamination 2025: The "Overexposed Risks" in the Age of Social Media and a Complete Guide to Avoiding Corporate Backlash - A Global Comparison

Food Contamination 2025: The "Overexposed Risks" in the Age of Social Media and a Complete Guide to Avoiding Corporate Backlash - A Global Comparison

2025年07月07日 16:05

1. What Happened in the First Half of 2025: An Overview of Incidents

  • Mouse in Miso Soup
    In January, a mouse was found in the miso soup served at the "Sukiya" Tottori Minamikata store, prompting an apology and a full inspection of all stores announced on their official website.sukiya.jp

  • Snail on Pizza
    In April, a live snail was found on a pizza at the "Joyfull" Matsue Higashi Asahi store, and a customer's SNS video went viral. The company released a detailed investigation report and announced enhanced cleaning processes in a PDF.newsdig.tbs.co.jpjoyfull.co.jp

  • Insect in Ramen
    In June, a video of an insect crawling on a small ramen at the "Rairaitei" Hamamatsu Saiwai store went viral, leading to an indefinite suspension of operations at the store.j-cast.comrairaitei.co.jp


All of these incidents were summarized in a feature article dated July 5 as a "mass occurrence of foreign objects," causing significant distrust in the industry and society.excite.co.jp



2. Three Reasons Why Foreign Object Incidents Seem to be Increasing

  1. Labor Shortages and Cost Reduction
    Structural issues such as round-the-clock shifts, increased short-term hiring, and cleaning being deprioritized due to aging facilities.

  2. Layering of the Supply Chain
    Multiple stages of fresh, processed, logistics, and store operations lead to "dispersed checkpoints."

  3. Instant Visualization via SNS
    The cycle of smartphone video → viral spread → summary sites → TV news completes in a matter of hours.media.looops.net



3. Latest "Flame Prevention" Solutions Adopted by Companies

3-1 Proactive Information Disclosure and "Third-Party Comments"

As a preventive measure, Sukiya established a concentrated cleaning time from 3-4 AM daily and announced it early to mitigate the situation.excite.co.jp


3-2 AI and IoT for Foreign Object Detection and Handwashing Assessment

  • AI Data Company "HyperJ×AI孔明™ on IDX": Real-time detection of foreign objects from manufacturing line footage, with automatic traceability assignment.prtimes.jp

  • Contec "IVA-HW100": Image analysis of the entire 90-second handwashing process, warning of deficiencies with over 95% accuracy.contec.com


3-3 SNS Crisis Management Team

Analysis of flame incidents in the first half of 2025 highlighted the effectiveness of "immediate release of primary information on official X → CEO comment video within 30 minutes → cause report within 24 hours."media.looops.net



4. "Foreign Object" Incidents Occurring Overseas

RegionCaseResponsible AgencyMain Foreign Object
UKALDI Chicken Processed Meat RecallFSAPlastic Pieces food.gov.uk
USAWood Pieces in Ready-Made SoupFSISWood Pieces fsis.usda.gov
EUVarious Items like Fruit Bars and Frozen SpinachRASFFPlastic and Metal Pieces webgate.ec.europa.euwebgate.ec.europa.eu

Foreign object contamination is a global issue and not unique to Japan.



5. International Comparison of Legal Regulations and Penalties

  • Japan: Amendment to the Food Sanitation Act (2021) mandates HACCP, digitalization of recall reporting. Administrative actions are on a prefectural basis.

  • USA: FSMA (2011) mandates "Preventive Controls." "Adulteration," including foreign object contamination, is subject to criminal penalties.

  • EU: General Food Law (Reg.178/2002) + RASFF network. Features rapid cross-border information sharing.food.ec.europa.eu

  • UK: FSA leads recalls, directly notifying consumers via SNS and POS displays.



6. 10-Point Checklist to Prevent Foreign Object Contamination

  1. Double inspection of raw materials upon arrival

  2. Monitor entire production line with AI-equipped cameras

  3. IoT-based checks for employee handwashing and foreign object introduction

  4. Clearly define CCP (Critical Control Points) even in central kitchens

  5. Fix cleaning times during late-night hours

  6. LED insect traps and door air curtains for pest control

  7. Share the latest crisis management manual across stores and headquarters

  8. Automatically detect "foreign object" related keywords with SNS monitoring tools

  9. Publish a dashboard visualizing investigation results

  10. Complete "initial report + apology + refund" within the first hour



7. How Consumers Are Protected

  • Recommended steps include keeping receipts and packaging, taking photos, and consulting with health authorities.

  • Even when traveling abroad, using recall apps from FSA, FDA, and RASFF ensures safety.



8. Future Outlook

With the spread of AI and traceability, "zero contamination" is becoming more realistic. However, visualized risks will not disappear entirely. Companies need to prepare on three levels: "technology," "organization," and "communication," while consumers must develop literacy to selectively gather accurate information.



🔗List of Reference Articles (External Links, Chronological Order)

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