Order inspections are conducted after 3 violation cases have been reported for an import item. The
numbers of samples for order inspections are greater than those for monitoring inspections. As the
number of violation cases increases, so does the number of samples. Whereas it is allowed for
importers to sell imported goods before results of monitoring inspections are known, it is not
possible to sell imported goods in the case of order inspections until it is confirmed that there are no
violations. Since residual pesticides found in Chinese vegetables became a big problem in the
beginning of 2002, more stringent measures were taken for both monitoring and order inspections.
For example, the occasions of sampling for both increased. Box 1 illustrates the rapid growth of
imports from China and recent problems of food safety compliance.
Under the Plant Protection Law, fresh foods and agricultural produces are subject to visual
observation inspections for harmful pests, mold, and other undesired characteristics. These
inspections are conducted per import item in the form of sample inspections.
Both food sanitation and quarantine inspections are conducted on each shipment entering the
country. However, if the exporting country conducts food sanitation inspections and the government
of the exporting country certifies the safety of the products, food sanitation inspection (in Japan)