Two former officials at a Snow Brand Milk Products factory have been given suspended prison sentences for negligence that resulted in a mass outbreak of food poisoning in 2000.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


Osamu Kubota, former head of the Taiki factory in Hokkaido, which produced the contaminated milk, was given a two-year prison sentence suspended for three years and a ¥120,000 (US$1,000) fine. Koichi Izumi, former chief of the skimmed milk manufacturing division was given an 18-month sentence, suspended for two years, reported Dow Jones International News.


Snow Brand has been struggling to regain consumer confidence since the food poisoning outbreak but has been hit since by a beef mislabelling scandal.


The company recently reported its fourth consecutive year of losses. To read more, click here.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now