Responsibility to Our Clients
In striving to fulfill our responsibility to our clients, here we will introduce the goals, initiatives, and systems which Sojitz has put in place for conducting responsible advertising and marketing.
Initiatives
1) Access to foods with higher nutritional value
= Examples of Research Development and Sales =
2. Reduce triglycerides
3. Make the rise in blood-sugar levels after eating more gradual
Inulin is one of the naturally occurring polysaccharides that are present widely in plants like burdock, chicory, and Jerusalem artichoke. Inulin has long been used in Europe as a nutrient supplement for the diabetic. Its widespread practical applications include dairy products (yogurt, milk drinks, cheese, cream), fat spread (margarine), western cakes (chocolate, cakes, cookies, crackers, gummies), Japanese cakes, chilled cakes, cereals, bread, prepared mixes, drinks, and meat and vegetables. Beyond its physical improvement properties, inulin is also receiving attention as a dietary fiber and for its physiologically useful features such as proliferation of bifidobacteria, with high expectations for its use as a food and in a wide range of other fields.
Through sales of water-soluble dietary fiber inulin Fuji FF, Sojitz is working to solve health and nutrition related issues, including obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and malnutrition.
Organization
Sojitz’s approach for maintaining food safety and security
Our company was the first general trading company to establish a Quality Assurance Office(*1) within our business division in April 2008 to handle increased consumer concern for food safety and to manage increasing food logistics risks resulting from the acceleration of globalization. We will continue to undertake effective initiatives to maintain the safety and security of food.
*1 The Quality Assurance Office is currently in charge of food safety management for food product businesses within the Retail & Consumer Service Division and Consumer Industry & Agriculture Business Division. We also undertake these same quality assurance initiatives for processed food products planned and developed by Sojitz Group companies.
For example, we have set up a registration system for suppliers requiring food safety certification in accordance with HACCP*, an internationally recognized approach which was implemented in Japan from June 2021 in response to the amendments to Japan’s Food Sanitation Act. We conduct factory audits, production floor visits, food labeling verification of products for which Sojitz is responsible, as well as centralized management of information relating to consumer complaints.
Furthermore, as China is still a major global supplier of food, we established the Quality Assurance Office's China Branch Office in May 2008. We have full-time quality assurance staff to continually conduct factory audits and production floor visits within the country and provide information to factories.
For sales staff that work directly with our clients, we hold meetings to share information on food safety, conduct e-Learning courses, and hand out food safety handbooks. Going beyond food labeling laws and regulations, we educate employees on points to take note of for responsible food labeling, as well as basic knowledge for managing quality and sanitation.
Sojitz Group will continue to provide a stable supply of safety-assured foods.
Participation in External Initiatives
1) Taking part in the RSPO
In the year ending March 31st, 2014, Sojitz joined the RSPO (Roundtable
on Sustainable Palm Oil) which works to promote the use of sustainable
palm oil, with consideration for the impact on the environment and fair
relationships with workers and small-scale farms.
2) Participation in consortiums and initiatives on food safety
The Quality Assurance Office, which supports the Retail & Consumer Service Division and Consumer Industry & Agriculture Business Division, strives to ensure the safety and reliability of foods and food products handled by Sojitz, including processed foods. In order to maintain and improve its quality assurance functions, the Office is affiliated with the following external organizations to gather and exchange information.
These activities led to the ASIF receiving permission from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in September 1992 to become an incorporated association. ASIF received authorization to become a public interest corporation on April 1st, 2011.
ASIF is involved in a wide variety of activities to support food vendors in fulfilling the social responsibility of “delivering safe and secure imported foods.
URL: https://www.asif.or.jp/ (Japanese only)
URL: https://www.japan-group.or.jp/fs/association/ (Japanese only)
URL: https://www.tokyo-syokken.gr.jp/ (Japanese only)
2.
For food product transactions undertaken by the Retail & Consumer Service Division and Consumer Industry & Agriculture Business Division in both Japan and overseas, we have set up a registration system for suppliers requiring food safety certification in accordance with HACCP, an internationally recognized approach which was implemented in Japan from June 2021 in response to the amendments to Japan’s Food Sanitation Act.
Furthermore, we encourage project companies to obtain international food safety certifications, such as FSSC22000. Below are organizations that have obtained such certifications.
URL: https://www.sojitz-tunafarm.com/en/
◆ Dalian Global Food Corporation: ISO22000, BRC, HACCP,EU HACCP, ETI, FDA, MSC
URL: https://www.xxmaguro.com/en/
◆ Nippon Premium Bakery Inc.: GMP,HACCP
◆ Sojitz Food Corporation: HACCP