Japanese animal quarantine authorities discovered and destroyed a batch of prohibited meat products that had been sold in a grocery store in Ibaraki Prefecture. The incident highlights the importance of understanding Japan’s food‑safety system for anyone exporting to the market.

Japanese animal quarantine authorities destroyed about 25.9 kg of banned meat, including Ba Tuyet chicken feet, at a grocery store in Ibaraki Prefecture. The items were prohibited under Japan’s Act on Prevention of Infectious Diseases in Livestock.

An Cung Ba Tuyet Food Joint Stock Company said it had not exported the products and that it would review its agents and distributors to prevent unauthorized shipments. The company’s statement underscores the risk of losing control over where its branded goods appear.

Japan will tighten regulations on illegally imported animal products on 1 July 2026, prohibiting import, commercial sale, display and storage. Vietnamese officials advise exporters to guarantee supply‑chain traceability, meet veterinary‑hygiene standards and study the destination market’s animal‑quarantine rules before shipping. They also warn travelers not to bring prohibited animal products as hand‑carried goods for resale in Japan.