Glico, a Japanese confectionery company, recently issued a major recall for their internationally beloved snack, Pocky. The recall was due to a production issue that affected about 20 batches, totaling 6 million individual items. The company acted swiftly to uphold their commitment to food safety, urging consumers who bought products possibly affected to return them for a full refund. No health incidents related to the recall were reported at the time of the news.

Given the major role food plays in Japanese culture, consuming safe, high-quality products is a significant issue for Japanese citizens. Glico is a highly respected brand in Japan and this recall is expected to raise questions about food safety regulations and inspection practices. However, the rapid response by the company is also likely to be lauded, showing their priority to consumer health over profit.

Recalls like these are treated very seriously in the US and EU as well. Firms are expected to quickly disclose the issue and recall affected products for consumer safety. While the precise regulations differ, the principle of prioritizing public health by ensuring product safety is shared.