11/01/10 10:17:48 coKTx//m0
URLﾘﾝｸ(search.japantimes.co.jp)
Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011
Agency to grill food maker over 'osechi' Web sales
Kyodo News
>The Consumer Affairs Agency plans to question by the end of this week the president of a company that
>sold traditional New Year's food packages through the Groupon website, according to agency officials.
>A number of people who bought boxes of the assorted "osechi" foods have complained the items delivered
>to their homes were not consistent with those shown in a picture on the Groupon site.
>The agency said Friday it is looking into the matter for a possible violation of a law against misleading
>representations in product sales.
>The Kanagawa Prefectural Government and the farm ministry are also assessing whether the sales are
>subject to a law on food labeling.
>According to the Yokohama Municipal Government, the Yokohama-based seller, Food Culture Research
>Institute, has received reports that several buyers experienced health problems after eating the items.
>Groupon is becoming increasingly popular for its huge website discounts.