Japan Tobacco has reportedly indicated that it has cut the number of Chinese companies that make its frozen foods by 40% since January, after a poisoning scare hit the group.
Japanese consumers are increasingly concerned about the safety of Chinese-made foods, as a number of high-profile recalls and safety scares have dented consumer confidence.
According to a report in Nikkei, JT hopes to regain consumer trust by producing more foods at its own facilities where it has greater control of safety procedures.
Previously, JT outsourced production to 42 Chinese food companies, Nikkei reported.
However, after dumplings contaminated with pesticides were imported by a subsidiary, JT terminated contracts with a number of Chinese suppliers. It now does business with 25 food processors in China, Nikkei said.

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