The Nichirei Group’s fundamental policies on quality assurance aim to ensure the quality and safety of the food products and services it provides, to prevent consumer health hazards, as well as to maintain and improve Company-wide quality management and assurance standards, and ensure customer satisfaction. In addition, to assess whether these initiatives are being implemented reliably, we use internal audits and quality audits at our factories based on our quality management system and food safety management system. We strive to upgrade our systems by following a PDCA cycle to facilitate improvements should any deficiencies arise.

The Nichirei Group has established systems to properly manage and maintain the quality of the products and services it delivers at designated levels. We have established rules and standards for quality control and quality assurance, and perform internal audits and monitoring inspections based on our quality management standards to ensure that the Group’s quality management system is functioning effectively.
Each operating companyʼs Quality Assurance Division performs quality inspections of its own products and services and reports and shares its implementation status with the Quality Assurance Committee and the Group Quality Assurance Committee, which assists with the further revision and enhancement of its quality assurance system.

The Nichirei Group offers a variety of products and services. Each operating company has established rules and standards based on the characteristics of the products and services it provides.
The establishment of these rules and standards is based on the hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) system. The Nichirei Group’s systematic preventative approach to food safety emphasizes the biological, chemical, and physical hazards in production processes and the need for a quality management system. This philosophy generally applies to all food products, and initiatives proceed according to its rules.
The Nichirei Group is working to increase the degree of food safety that it can ensure, through initiatives designed to protect food from intentional tainting that cannot be avoided using food safety initiatives, and crisis management initiatives, which allow accurate information to be revealed quickly in the event of an accident/incident leading to health hazards. It is also working to increase the degree of food safety that it can ensure, and expand its risk communication abilities during emergencies.

Conducting Factory Audits by Group Companies

For factory audits, each operating company rationally and objectively evaluates the magnitude of risks based on various factors such as characteristics of products it handles, whether or not certification of international standards has been obtained and the quantity of products handled. Based on this evaluation, the operating company creates an annual plan according to which it carries out factory audits. Any concerns pointed out by the audits are reflected in factory improvement activities and Company-wide rule reviews. The PDCA cycle is also used in regular audits. Audit results are used as a reference when determining audit policies and target worksites when developing audit plans for the upcoming year.

• *Since FY2021, we have not been able to conduct as many regular audits as planned due to restrictions on movement caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Proactive Adoption of International Standards for Quality Control

The Nichirei Group offers products and services with a variety of distinguishing characteristics. To evaluate and verify that management is being conducted in accordance with our fundamental policies on quality, we are actively promoting the introduction of the internationally recognized Food Safety Management System (FSMS) and working to strengthen our quality assurance system while providing safe products and services.

• *1FSSC22000：Developed by the Foundation FSSC (Netherlands) based on ISO 22000.
• *2ISO22000：Established by the International Organization for Standardization (Switzerland), based on ISO 9001.
• *3SQF：3 Established by FMI, The Food Industry Association in the United States, based on hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) methodology and good manufacturing practice (GMP).
• *4Certification rate (%) = No. of certified worksites ÷ Total no. of worksites of consolidated subsidiaries in Japan (food factories, logistics centers, etc.)
• *5Switching to FSSC 22000
• *6Established by British Retail Consortium (BRC; United Kingdom) based on HACCP methodology and ISO 9001
• *7Certification rate (%) = No. of certified worksites ÷ Total no. of certified worksites of consolidated subsidiaries in Japan and overseas (food factories, processing centers, etc.).

Food Defense Initiatives

To prevent intentional contamination of food products, the Nichirei Group believes it is critically important to foster strong bonds of trust with employees at worksites, creating environments in which accidents are unlikely. Furthermore, it is necessary to employ both procedures and physical safeguards, as well as verification methods in the event of an accident. We have established food safeguard (food defense) systems tailored to each product type. In-house rules covering visitors and contractors, as well as self checks, are in place, and audits of our plants are conducted regularly to confirm safety. We are also working to improve the workplace environment based on employee satisfaction surveys and interviews. We have installed cameras and face recognition systems at all of our plants in Japan and overseas.
To protect the safety of food, we have created a system that is based on the distinguishing characteristics of each product and enables follow-up investigations should issues arise. If an issue does arise, a link is established with our food crisis management system, which facilitates the dissemination of accurate information and quick responses.

Based on this approach, we have established food safeguard systems tailored to each product type at each operating company. In addition to confirming safety through factory self-checks and factory audits, we are actively working to improve the workplace environment based on employee interviews.

Safe Workplaces, Better Service

The Nichirei Logistics Group's newly built distribution centers are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including advanced security features and seismic isolation. In terms of quality, the center realizes advanced logistics quality through traceability and inventory management functions, in addition to temperature control that draws on the Group's expertise and technology. In our low-temperature logistics network, we support our nationwide distribution network by transporting and delivering approximately 7,000 trucks every day, including our own, and cooperation with transportation companies is essential. For this reason, we have established a cooperative association with transportation companies and have built a close cooperative relationship with them through driver contests, training, award programs, and other initiatives to improve safety and quality.
The logistics network of Nichirei Logistics Group and its partner companies in the Loginet Cooperative Association hold a driver contest to improve the safety skills of truck drivers. Drivers from six branches nationwide who advance through the preliminary rounds compete in their safety inspection skills and academic knowledge developed in their daily work. In FY2026, we held the ninth National Convention. We remain committed to ensuring safe vehicle operation.

Management of Raw Ingredients

Nichirei Foods researches the materials comprising the raw ingredients in three stages, and manages the distribution percentages, quality/microbial specifications, manufacturing process, and allergens contained. Raw ingredient suppliers are required to submit information on each ingredient in the form of ingredient quality specifications. This is placed in its database and used as the basis for nutritional information and to answer customer questions. When the Nichirei Group uses a new raw ingredient, it first evaluates the production facilities, confirms the ingredient quality, and checks samples. An overall assessment follows and, even after an ingredient has been approved for use, the Group continues to do factory evaluations, inspections, and factory improvements, to further enhance the ingredient. By checking the quality of an ingredient when it takes delivery, the Nichirei Group is able to verify the effect of its factory evaluations and inspections.

Building a Traceability System

To always provide safe, safe and high-quality food, Nichirei Foods Group conducts rigorous quality control and inspections, from ingredients to final products and has built a traceability system suited to the distinguishing characteristics of each product. For example, in the event that an issue should arise in frozen vegetables, the cause can be investigated by using the product code symbol to trace the product back through the management records stored by the factory. In this way, it is possible to prevent the issue from spreading or recurring. We also provide prompt and accurate information to dispel customer concerns.
Building a traceability system requires collaboration and cooperation on the part of ingredient suppliers, manufacturers and distributors in our supply chain. The Nichirei Group regularly holds study sessions to deepen shared awareness with regard to quality-related information. To digitalize and link information, we are also promoting the utilization of our proprietary system for central control.

【Cultivation Management】

The farms, in China and Thailand, where frozen vegetables are produced for Nichirei Foods have been selected based on their ability to meet Nichirei Foods’ environmental standards (in terms of soil, water quality, etc.) and agro-chemical management requirements. A farm advisor, from the Group’s frozen vegetable production facilities, is regularly sent to these farms to do on-the-spot checks of cultivation conditions and confirm that they are being adequately managed.

Initiatives for Communication with Customers

Besides providing products with reliable quality, providing relevant information to customers is Nichirei Foods’ top priority. Nichirei Foods has eliminated excessive advertising on its packaging and works to provide relevant information.
In addition, through the activities of its Customer Support Center, the Nichirei Group uses its customers’ opinions to provide feedback to work sites and improve quality.

Adding the N Mark to Packaging

A lot of information is concentrated on packaging. The information in the all-in-one displays on the side or back of packaging cannot afford to be mistaken, and thus undergoes stringent double-checking to ensure that all relevant legal stipulations are met. The name and place of origin of raw ingredients used in products are identified on the packaging, based on the information provided by the producers. Further, since the best-by date and lot number are displayed, it is possible to look up when and where a product was made, and which ingredients were used. Given the Group’s belief that a customer’s ability to communicate with lit is of paramount importance, packaging clearly displays a toll free number for enquiries.

In order to ensure the accuracy of information related to product safety and selection, the Nichirei Group conducts a number of checks between the time that information displays are created and products are shipped. It also checks to make sure that nothing on the packaging can cause misunderstanding. It is implementing display checks with these two points in mind in its examinations as well, and only those products that pass can be manufactured.

Verification before the N Mark Is Added to Packaging

Verification at the Factory: After Packaging and before Shipping

Food Allergy

Currently, in Japan, 28 types of foods cause food allergies, 8 of which (shrimp, crab, walnut, wheat, buckwheat, eggs, milk, and peanuts) are required by the Food Labeling Act to be labeled due to the number of cases and severity of the allergic reaction.
The Nichirei Group investigates the raw materials used and the possibility of unintentional contamination during the manufacturing process before labeling food allergenic substances by the Food Labeling Act. In particular, Nichirei Foods has devised a list of food allergens contained in the frozen prepared foods for home use that we handle.

Conveying Accurate Product Information

In order to obtain information about raw ingredients, the Nichirei Group requires suppliers to provide detailed specifications. But, before using these as a resource for product packaging, it runs tests to confirm they are correct. Such scrutiny of information, as is relevant to highly processed ingredients, can require several months. In addition, it adapts to changes in laws related to food product labeling as they arise.

Reporting on Products and Services

In FY2025, there were no violations of laws and regulations related to products and services.

Health and Nutrition Initiatives

As a company engaged in food-related businesses, the Nichirei Group believes that access to better nutrition is a very important part of people’s health. Nichirei Foods develops and sells wellness products that promote health. In addition, Nichirei Biosciences provides the public with academic and technical information related to immunostaining and has made it available to health professionals through an information website, allowing it to contribute to a healthy society through its businesses.

Collaboration with Industry Organizations, etc.

The Nichirei Group actively participates in industry group activities and contributes to helping communities improve and solve the issues they face through proposals and recommendations/encouragement.
Nichirei and Nichirei Foods are official members of the Japan Frozen Food Association, both Nichirei Logistics Group and its main subsidiaries are members of the Japan Association of Refrigerated Warehouses, and Nichirei is a member of the Japan Food Industry Association. In addition, Nichirei participates in the activities of the following organisations and others.

The Initiatives of the Nichirei Foods Customer Support Center

Nichirei Foods Customer Service Center receives much feedback from customers, including comments, opinions, questions and compliments, every day. We strive to improve customer satisfaction by responding promptly and appropriately to feedback received, which would lead to improvements in points that we did not notice at the development stage, thereby contributing to further improvement of quality. In addition, customer feedbacks are disseminated to the people concerned within the Nichirei Group every week, enabling employees who do not belong to divisions directly in charge to check contents as well.

Customer Satisfaction Surveys

In order to improve customer service, the Customer Support Center runs customer satisfaction (CS) surveys.
When customers make a suggestion about a product, Nichirei sends them a report form and a survey postcard, both of which it has them return.
The survey uses a five-point scale to evaluate four areas: initial impression contacted by telephone (reception response); items noted by the respondent (on the report form); time taken to submit report (response time); and future purchasing intentions (repeat purchase). Space is also provided for customers to include additional comments. The aggregate results are used to improve Customer Support Center services. Efforts on this direction are ongoing.

Cases of Improvement Made

Product Recall Information

These are the product recalls that have occurred in the past five years.

Staff Training for Quality Improvement

The Nichirei Group conducts training for quality assurance personnel at each operating company with the goal of enhancing their skills. In addition, the holding company conducts annual training on specific topics primarily for quality assurance personnel to enhance their food quality assurance awareness and capabilities.