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Experts here say farmers may have blown the whistle on the substitution scandal as they are outraged at being asked to accept tariff cuts as Japan moves to join the US-backed Trans-Pacific Partnership while cost-conscious catering bosses use inferior foreign products falsely labelled.

Honour on the line as culinary racket rocks Japan RICK WALLACE, TOKYO CORRESPONDENT  THE AUSTRALIAN  NOVEMBER 09, 2013 CATERING and hotel managers in Japan are falling on their swords – or kitchen knives – as a food-substitution scandal grips this gastronomically obsessed country.Japan takes extravagant pride in its reputation as a culinary power and is on the cusp of beginning an export drive for its cuisine and ingredients.

But its hard-won reputation is being marred by ongoing distrust in some countries about radiation in food after Fukushima, and the erupting menu-fraud scandal.

One of the first casualties was the head of Hankyu hotel chain, who was forced to step down this week for using Brazilian chicken in a dish labelled as containing Japanese ingredients.

The head of another major hotel chain is said to have stepped down in similar circumstances and top department stores are also embroiled in the scandal.

Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings has admitted to using falsely labelled ingredients for 52 dishes at 14 restaurants in its Isetan and Mitsukoshi department stores and restaurants, according to Japan’s Asahi Shinbun.

Many of the substitutions and mislabellings are the kind of sneaky chefs’ tricks many consumers in other countries assume are commonplace. But in Japan food is almost a religion so the scandal has prompted front-page editorials and a warning from the chief government spokesman…….

Experts here say farmers may have blown the whistle on the substitution scandal as they are outraged at being asked to accept tariff cuts as Japan moves to join the US-backed Trans-Pacific Partnership while cost-conscious catering bosses use inferior foreign products falsely labelled. – See more at: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/honour-on-the-line-as-culinary-racket-rocks-japan/story-e6frg6so-1226756070225#sthash.ozbbn6Ly.dpuf