It is outrageous that the president of an Osaka rice flour processor found to have resold contaminated rice to other companies was well aware of the dangers involved. The agriculture ministry and police must unravel the transaction routes and identify the end products. Consumers have the right to know what products are at risk.

Mikasa Foods bought 1,779 tons of rice from the government in and after fiscal 2003 on the condition that it would be used for nonedible purposes such as industrial glue. Contaminated with pesticide residues or mold toxin, or damaged by water, the rice was part of "minimum access" stocks that had been imported from China, Vietnam and other countries under 1994 world trade rules.

Two firms in Aichi Prefecture also have been found to have resold contaminated rice. The ministry should strengthen inspection of firms that buy such rice from the government.

About 800 tons of the glutinous rice from China that Mikasa bought contained residue from methamidophos, the organophosphate pesticide responsible for recent food poisoning caused by Chinese-made "gyoza" dumplings. About 9.5 tons of nonglutinous rice from Vietnam contained residue from acetamiprid, another pesticide, and aflatoxin, a mold toxin. Mikasa sold about 350 tons of the glutinous rice and about 3.8 tons of the nonglutinous rice.

It is suspected that the glutinous rice was used to make rice crackers and other rice products, while the nonglutinous rice apparently went to five shochu spirit makers in Kyushu.

Mikasa was found to have made out false transaction slips and kept two sets of books. The president said the company removed dangerous molds and measured methamidophos residue for safety. A pathetic excuse. Obviously the firm was aware that its actions violated not only the law but also fundamental business ethics. A safe food supply is essential to people's well-being. Given the recent increase in food-related fraud, strict legal action must be taken against firms that sacrifice safety for profits.