Japan recalls Chinese dumplings over health panic

Japan’s health ministry recalled a brand of frozen dumplings imported from China after illnesses from eating them caused a panic, the Wall Street Journal reported. At least 10 people suffered vomiting and diarrhea and up to 80 more said they had suffered dizziness and nausea after eating Tianyang dumplings. Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who called an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss the matter, called the incident "a shame," and Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura said Japan would increase inspection of Chinese food imports. The dumplings, produced by a unit of the Hebei Foodstuffs Import & Export Group, contained traces of methamidophos, a pesticide. Chinese officials said the dumplings had passed pre-export safety checks.