PC Black Label Hokkaido Scallops. Front of the package boldly exclaims “Harvested from the deep, cold waters off the island of Hokkaido, Japan.”
Back of package: Product of China
Apparently it doesn’t matter how far off the island of Hokkaido to label them as such. If anyone has a twitter account, please feel free to use the photos to let others know about this. Galen Weston’s lying family and associates are at it again.
Could it be that they are harvested as advertised but packaged and shipped from China?
You’re correct. Country of origin rules can be confusing. For example, you could import your ingredients and make it here and stamp it “Product of Canada”. However, depending on the type of food, there could be additional percentage you need to meet to qualify.
I was curious about this so i contacted the customer service group. Here is the answer they sent me:
"We have been able to confirm that both statements on the packaging regarding the Hokkaido Scallops are true. The Scallops are caught off Hokkaido in Japanese waters, however they are cleaned, and packaged in China.
Based on CFIA country of origin labeling requirements the product must be labeled as a product of China."
Would be great IMHO if the OP would come back to this thread and correct the record.
Generally, people here assume Hokkaido scallops come from Japan, in the way that Digby scallops come from The Bay of Fundy.
I was curious, and it looks like Hokkaido scallops while named after and originating in Hokkaido, are processed in China , Japan and Korea, and sold by Chinese, Japanese and Korean companies.
I am sure the OP will post if she wants to.
I used to think “Alaska Crab” came from the U.S. - same deal - it comes from multiple sources!
Thanks for the new information. Legitimate Hokkaido scallops they are.
Loblaw companies have been involved in so many dubious enterprises (eg. bread price fixing, price gouging) that it wasn’t hard to make the original association.
